Francos, day 1: Marie-Annick Lépine, Quebec Redneck and an excited crowd

The Francos de Montréal took off on Friday at the Quartier des spectacles, with a poignant performance by Marie-Annick Lépine, followed by an electrifying opening concert with the group Québec Redneck Bluegrass Project, which brought a huge crowd to the square Festivals.

The temperature was perfect for the kickoff of the first major festival of the summer in Montreal. After a night of storms, the oppressive humidity of the day before had subsided and a light wind blew over the crowd which gradually gathered around the Bell Stage, on the Place des festivals.

At around 7 p.m., Marie-Annick Lépine arrived on stage with her violin, flanked by her five musicians, including Mara Tremblay and Catherine Durand, from the Hauterive duo. Without preamble, the band launched into two songs taken from the latest album by the multi-instrumentalist of Cowboys Fringants, Greasy hair And The world is beautiful and ugly.

Barely a few months after the death of her partner and soul mate Karl Tremblay, the singer and musician looked serene, even if we could have detected a hint of sadness deep in her eyes, on the giant screens which surrounded the scene.

Marie-Annick Lépine and her group alternated between the solo repertoire of the musician and that of the Cowboys, Thank you well! has Oktoberfest Passing by The White hairswhich in the circumstances resonated louder than ever.

You will see, my dears, that life is often unfair, especially for those who leave before having white hairshe sang, delivering a kind message to the two daughters she had with Karl Tremblay.

Halfway through, the author and main composer of Cowboys Fringants, Jean-François Pauzé, joined his friend to perform Loulou vs Louloutaken from the group’s latest album, Royal Pub.

The concert reached its climax with THE espinning webs, one of the greatest successes of the Karl Tremblay band. Alongside JF Pauzé, Marie-Annick Lépine shouted behind her accordion, leaving the image of a fighter floating behind her.

Tidal wave for Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project

An hour later, the Place des Festivals was packed for the folk group Quebec Redneck Bluegrass Project; a crowd as far as the eye can see. The members of the group arrived on stage with the ease of modern-day troubadours.

At first glance, it was hard to tell which of the festival-goers was there just because it was the opening night of the Francos, but hearing the crowd belt out the lyrics by heart, it became clear that QRBP had rallied a large mass of followers.

For an hour and a half, the members of Québec Redneck had fun like thieves at a fair, relentlessly playing their classics, which they alternated with a few more recent songs. At times, we wondered what fly had stung the mass of Montrealers gathered on the floor, who even launched a late evening Olé Olé Olé thunderous.

The band members eventually left the stage, before returning with one last gift for the fans. Did you want more?launched Jean-Philippe The Pad Tremblay. Are you going crazy? The group ended the evening with a unifying anthem, Chu ben cooler su’a brushe.

The complete program of the Francos de Montréal is available on the festival website (New window).