Pack up your tent and grab the car keys, because Le Festif! is back this year for its 16th edition, bringing a slate of beloved Quebecois and international artists to the scenic city of Baie-St-Paul. Festival-goers can enjoy a vibrant weekend retreat between the river and the mountain to enjoy some music, camping, food, and festivities from July 17 to 20.
Whether you're looking to headbang to heavy metal or lounge back to some soft indie rock, Le Festif!'s dynamic program has a little bit of something for everybody. Here are Exclaim!'s five must-see acts at the festival. Single tickets and weekend passes can be found on Le Festif!'s website.
Choses Sauvages
The Montreal band can be counted on for providing a groovy mix of indie rock and funk that's sure to get audiences dancing. It's hard to imagine a better soundtrack for kicking back during an idyllic weekend away in beautiful rural Quebec.
Dominique Fils-Aimé
The 2024 JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter will be gracing the Le Festif! stage with her jazzy tunes and soft, elegant vocals. 2023's Our Roots Run Deep — for which she won the aforementioned JUNO for Vocal Jazz Album — is the beginning of her second album trilogy, and we eagerly await the next installment
Femi Kuti & the Positive Force
The Nigerian Afrobeat musician is one of the internationally renowned artists who will be flocking to Quebec's Charlevoix region this summer. Fresh off the release of his latest album Journey Through Life, catch him ripping a solo on the saxophone between his signature thoughtful deliverances of politically conscious lyrics.
Moor Mother
The American poet and musician is an expert in crafting hard-hitting, scathingly honest critiques of the contemporary world and the turbulent history that has led us here. Her experimental musical stylings, frequent collaborations, and politically informed lyrics make for a special listening experience, translating impactfully into her gripping live performances.
Klô Pelgag
Quebec's art-pop darling consistently delivers dreamy tracks that know how to pack a punch. Her 2024 record Abracadabra is fittingly named for the magic that has imbued her over-a-decade-long career thus far.