2019 lineup!
Alpha Yaya Diallo
(Guinea/British Columbia)
Saturday July 6, 9 pm
Three-time Juno Award winner, Alpha Yaya Diallo is a guitarist, singer, songwriter and a true multi-cultural Canadian artist. He performs in French, English and his native Guinean languages of Foulani and Souso. Alpha was born in Guinea, West Africa, and was frequently on the move with his family, growing up in a number of regions. He was exposed to cultures and musical traditions from the Malenke, Sousou, and his own Foulani people. Later he spent time in neighbouring Senegal and became immersed in the popular and powerful mbalax rhythm; as well as influences from Cape Verde and the Caribbean. Alpha was discovered in 1990 by Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records when he was touring as thelead guitarist for the group Fatala. (around the time he made Canada his permanent home.) Since the release of the second African Guitar Summit album, Alpha has contributed music to several major Hollywood movies, including Rendition and District 9.
Annette Campagne
(Saskatchewan)
Saturday July 6, 8 pm
Boasting a 30-year career as an international recording and touring artist, it is a testament to faith and determination that this Canadian singer-songwriter is still producing great music and songs. Singing in both English and French, Annette was a founding member of the iconic group ‘Hart Rouge’ before embarking on a solo career, boasting an impressive list of accomplishments: Twelve albums, several radio hits and multiple tours across Canada, Europe and the United States.
In Annette’s own words when accepting her Western Canadian Music Award she said: ‘I don’t know how I feel about being called a veteran, but I’ll take it, for if I’m still doing music today it’s because I know that music is healing. And healing and empowering her music is! Pushing just the right amount of alt into her music, Annette is at the top of her game with ‘I AM’, her 5th solo album, featuring an array of pop rock songs that acknowledge and celebrate the beauty and strength of the human spirit. Tinged with a bit of philosophy and humanitarianism as only an old soul can deliver, Annette offers up a heady mix of melodic pop and roots flavoured-rock that perfectly captures the tumultuous times we live in, but without the usual angst. She uses her versatile voice to cut down to our most raw emotions, the ones we drink down with a chaser, stirring the pot just enough to nudge us along in our quest for a better world and creating the space for hope and faith to emerge.
These are empowering songs born of the belief that we are all masters of our own destiny. Inspiring, generous and earthy, they are the work of an artist whose mettle has been tested. Personal yet universal, strong yet poignant, ‘I AM’ features some gritty guitars, catchy melodies and exquisite vocals.
Les Colocs
(Québec)
Friday July 5, 10 pm
The return of Les Colocs to La Place des Festivals in 2009 in Montreal’s Quartier des spectacles caused a wave of love on the part of the group’s fans. Following this show, requests came from all regions of Quebec. Mike Sawatzky, the guitarist of the group, took charge of these evening reunions with the public to celebrate the work of André Fortin and Les Colocs. This summer Les Colocs hit the road, surrounded by their most faithful collaborators, Mike Sawatzky and his band will perform the greatest hits of the group. A directory tainted by his great collaboration with André Fortin. The reaction of the crowd is always the same, an electrifying reunion with breathtaking emotion.
Isabelle la Wonderful, It’s magic!
Saturday July 6, 11 am
Don’t miss Isabelle la Wonderful performing her funny and interactive comedy-magic show! Flamboyant and engaging, this talented Children entertainer has more than one trick up her sleeves. Perfect combination of magic, balloon art and humour, she has a unique way to interact with the little ones. With over 100 000 spectators all across Western Canada in 2018 alone, she is the new favorites in schools and festivals. Kids love her, teens think looks pretty cool while parents enjoy the little random jokes. Don’t miss Isabelle la Wonderful, It’s magic!
Lord Byrun
Saskatchewan
Lord Byrun
Friday July 5, 8 pm
Continuing in the bardic tradition, Lord Byrun cherishes and champions the inherent power of songs. Cutting his teeth as a member of Indigo Joseph, he is constantly working his craft by observing, learning and questioning. Having begun as a wordsmith, over the past 10 years he has slowly studied and taught himself guitar, bass, synthesizer, piano, and drums. Not claiming any virtuosity, he attests that curiosity and a sincere pleasure in playing and learning drive his musical quest. Known for his profound lyrics and intense deliveries, this student of the song holds it as his personal tenant to strive for excellence as a performer and composer.
Ponteix
Saskatchewan
Ponteix
Friday July 5, 7 pm
Residing under the expansive prairie skies, Ponteix dips into a myriad of styles, from hazy experimentalism to congealed pop structures. Boasting a maximalist approach to production cementing in it a wall of saturated electronic rhythms that churn leaving only gaps of space for effortless percussive flourishes to pass through. Echoing chambers of gleaming synths are pitched midway between Mario Lepage’s nostalgic vocals and a persistent backdrop of effects. Glassy guitars shimmer in and out carving couloirs of light. Ponteix continues the pursuit of tapping into unfamiliar emotions imbuing a sense of relatability.
Shauit
Québec
Saturday July 6, 7 pm
Originally from Maliotenam in northeastern Quebec, the singer-songwriter Shauit, sings honest and committed songs that ingeniously combine his native language and traditional rhythms with other popular trends such as folk & reggae. Shauit received the RIDEAU and RADARTS awards (showcase at ROSEQ 2015) and participated in several showcases such as Folk Alliance, APAP, International Festival of Louisiana, will participate to the Shibuya Festival (Japan) and the Zandari Festa (Korea) and will be on tour in Chili, in November, and in France in March 2019.Shauit’s influence and solicitations for his music continue to increase, and this one is even used. for feature films and television series.This new show is a homecoming. He offers a new folk sensibility that will join a wide audience and enriching the mix of reggae and dancehall influences for which Shauit was first recognized. Presenting titles from his new album “Apu peikussiaku”, Shauit is aiming at an audience of all ages that loves popular music as well as world music. Over the last few years, Shauit has played throughout Canada, in the United States and even in Europe, where he has conquered a loyal audience with his innovative style mixed with his indigenous culture. Whether solo, trio or full band, Shauit is pleased to present a dynamic show that keeps his audience on their feet, and have them live a journey filled of emotions and personal experiences. Shauit is a proud representative of aboriginal culture all around the world and also won the prize of the “best album of the year in indigenous language” across North America in May 2018.
Yao
Friday July 5, 9 pm
With his deep baritone voice, Yao charms us into us in his warm poetic world by his bold creativity. His musical style crosses over Slam and Soul, emphasized by Groovy, Funk and Pop sounds. True to his rich, visual and rhythmic writing with a unique vulnerability, Yao offers sophisticated lyrics in a personal and intimate show. After several tours overseas (France, Belgium, Madagascar, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco…) Yao is always eager to meet a new audience.
A virtual EDITION in 2021 