46th ADISQ Gala | Not easy to break the mold of Louis-José Houde

It is impossible to achieve, after a single turn at the animation, the level of perfection that Louis-José Houde displayed during 18 years at the helm of the ADISQ Gala.

Louis-José Houde, it was the maniacal attention to detail, the total ease on a stage, the text crafted with formidable precision, the spicy gags, but always respectful, and this sincere and felt love of Quebec music, which he transmitted from his first association with ADISQ, in October 2006.

Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais was not bad on Sunday evening at the helm of the 46^e presentation of the Felixes. But the weight of the comparisons worked against him, because the 30-year-old comedian offered a performance very different from those of his legendary predecessor, who was less histrionic and more formal, let’s say.

But it was necessary to break the mold of Louis-José Houde to start fresh and this is what the talented Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais proposed, respecting his universe and his influences, halfway between those of Jim Carrey and Bo Burnham. His funny song A good tune is a good tuneincluded in the opening number, was tasty, in line with what he makes at Bye Bye of - for several years.

What was most destabilizing in Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais’ animation was the gap between the moments of very physical humor that he likes (see his hilarious Brian Manson in Completely High School) and the next second, where he resumed his role as super serious master of ceremonies. We are not used to seeing so many grimaces and fake blood in a televised gala.

The humor levels will have to be adjusted next year, if Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais takes over this thankless and annoying contract. There is still a certain decorum to respect. The texts will also need to be further refined, far from being as effective as those of Louis-José Houde, who established a very, very high standard for his comrades.

But let’s not forget this: Louis-José Houde was 29 years old when he led his very first music festival, in 2006. At 30, Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais, an accomplished musician, finds himself at the same point in his young career. Let’s give him a chance to get his hands on this gala and snag a nicer tuxedo, OK?

To rejuvenate and retain its audience, the ADISQ Gala should have started with the monologue of Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais, rather than starting with Elisapie, who had her Live from the universe the day before. It was less surprising to viewers.

The best musical number of this 2h20 evening brought together Isabelle Boulay and Roch Voisine and it evoked the one, just as successful, between Patrick Norman and Martine St-Clair last year. It was moving to see these two stars exchanging classics from their respective repertoires like Helene, Between Matane and Baton Rouge, There in the shadows or The willow.

In contrast, the exchange between Souldia and Roxane Bruneau, on their pieces I Love U et Passenger sidedid not take off as much, despite the presence of a convertible car on the fiery scene.

As for thanks, Alexandra Stréliski was the most elegant and inspiring of the winners. What class, all the same!

After collecting her first golden statuette, the pianist shed all the light on Les Cowboys Fringants. And when she was crowned female artist of the year, she brought all the nominees up with her to praise them and deliver a magnificent plea on difference. This is how we create magical moments.

In the end, this ceremony did not cause much excitement in our living rooms. It was not unpleasant, nor completely exciting. ADISQ only presented 10 trophies on Sunday, compared to the 16 awarded at the last Gémeaux awards gala. When you distribute less hardware, performance must be spectacular, which has not always been the case. For example, the number of five discoveries of 2024 was very average.

On this subject, how can Barnev Valsaint, Céline Dion’s backing vocalist for 25 years, win the prize for revelation of the year with so much skill? In addition to singing with Dubmatique, Barnev formed the R&B group NoDéJà, whose song something about you toured extensively in 1999.

Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais could have teased the artists in the room more and made more reference to the musicians who marked the last year. The comedian aimed at the center of the target when he spoke about the saga of the La Tulipe cabaret in Montreal which closed its doors this fall. Everything is closed, even Roxane Bruneau has closed her earlobes, he told the singer-songwriter of the success Little pieces of you.

We also felt that the spectators at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts did not abandon their new captain and that they embarked on his most daring proposals, such as the musical sketch with Les Trois Accords, which was very cartoonish.

Louis-José Houde has officiated at 18 of the 46 galas in ADISQ history. Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais only has one behind his tie. Like a Roxane Bruneau in 2020, he will have plenty of time to do things his way and be proud of what he sees in the mirror.