Let’s raise our glasses to Francouvertes and the 21 participants of its 30th edition, presented on Monday evening at Lion d’Or: the essential contest for French-speaking musical talent celebrates its anniversary by unveiling an updated website, a day of professional meetings on April 23 at Maison de la culture Maisonneuve, and a crowdfunding campaign in partnership with La Ruche.
First, let’s focus on the essentials by taking stock of this competition, which will officially start on March 9 with the first preliminary evening featuring Marie Neiges, Dauphins, and Olivier Faubert. Out of the 21 participants, some names stand out: Kéthe Magan, a composer, beatmaker, and collaborator of Calamine, is now embarking on a solo venture between rap and pop – he will be featured on March 10 in an evening that will also highlight Colin Léo and Roxane Reddy.
On March 16, keep an eye on Charlie Rivard, mentored by Ariane Moffatt, who will perform alongside the group Chaude Chaleur and singer-songwriter Komédza. The next day, the spotlight will be on TDH, from Lac-Saint-Jean, with Innu and Jamaican roots – his name is already circulating, as is that of Luan Larobina, who will be heard on the same evening, with the folk group Spaghatt completing the lineup. On March 17, it’s time for Bernadette, Mitaine, and Atikamekw singer-songwriter Kris Kinokewin.
The menu for March 24 will feature only discoveries: Banc d’Parc, Noémie, and Thalia Rosaura. On the 25th, all eyes will be on Irdens Exantus, a prominent actor on our screens (Antigang, Lakay Nou, Les armes, among others) who released the mini-album Les journées longues last fall. Similar curiosity surrounds Fyore, a singer-songwriter from Gatineau, and the MC De Lafe.
This anniversary edition of Francouvertes promises diversity in its offerings: while many claim R&B and soul as trends, “the artists are also numerous in not knowing how to describe their music, other than saying that it’s a song and that it’s pop,” notes Sylvie Courtemanche, general director of Francouvertes. “There is clearly more R&B this year than in the past.”
The director and her team have devoted all necessary efforts to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the contest that has revealed talents such as Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose, the late Karim Ouellet, Les Hay Babies, Les Sœurs Boulay, and many others who now define the French-speaking music scene in Quebec. To continue their mission, Francouvertes are launching a crowdfunding campaign today, in partnership with La Ruche. The goal is to raise $30,000 by May 17.
“We really want to use this crowdfunding campaign to raise awareness among public institutions, from which we receive part of our funding, to convey the message that we need more funding,” says Sylvie Courtemanche, adding that the sum of $30,000 will help cover the budget for the 2026 edition of the contest and offset any accumulated deficits.
