Marie-Pierre Arthur
Music, at its core, is communion. It’s a shared language, a collective heartbeat. It brings strangers together under one sound, one rhythm, one fleeting but unforgettable moment. And every summer, at the Francos de Montréal festival, that magic becomes real.
Formerly known as Les Francofolies de Montréal, this festival has been my annual go-to since I was a kid. It’s where I discovered that music isn’t just something you hear—it’s something you feel. Something you live. Something that lives in you.
And this year? Holy hell—it blew me away.
Let’s be real. Some folks still toss around the word “chanson” like it’s stuck in a dusty jukebox, conjuring images of old crooners and vinyl records collecting cobwebs. But Francophone music today? It’s bold. It’s melodic. It’s modern. It slaps. And at Francos, it’s front and center.
Wandering from stage to stage, I found myself in that same state I do every year—jaw dropped, ears wide open, soul buzzing. The music this year? Insane. From the heavy-hitters to the fresh discoveries, every act brought something unique. Let’s break it down.
Let’s start with the powerhouses. Galaxie delivered one of the most electrifying sets of the weekend. Their sound? Futuristic, melodic, and loud in all the right ways. That thick wall of sound hit like a sonic lightning bolt, and the crowd—me included—was in it from start to finish.
Then came Marie-Pierre Arthur, who took the stage with her band to perform her entire L’Album Bleu (2024). And let me tell you, it was magic. Every voice around me was singing along, every note hit like it was etched into our DNA. This wasn’t just a performance—it was a moment. The band was locked in, the crowd was fully present, and the connection between artist and audience was palpable.
Thierry Larose? Absolute fire. Coming off last year’s dreamy collab project Le Roy, la Rose, et le Loup with Lou-Adriane Cassidy and Ariane Roy, he showed up solo this time with a band that could melt faces and warm hearts at the same time. His live set was nothing short of mesmerizing—electric, tight, and emotionally charged. One of the best sets of the weekend, hands down.
But what really makes Francos special? The discovery. The unexpected moments that sneak up on you and flip your musical world upside down.
Paige Barlow was one of those moments. I remember seeing her billboard in the metro and thinking, Alright, let’s see what she’s about. Then I caught her outdoor set and—holy shit—she owned that stage. Electrifying indie vibes, a tight band, and a presence that made you want to hang onto every beat.
Kourage followed, and they came out swinging. Think cinematic indie rock, emotionally raw, and musically on point. They even did a French cover of Patti Page’s “Tennessee Waltz” that felt fresh, haunting, and beautifully reimagined. And the lead singer, Jean L’Océan? A force. Dancing like Iggy Pop, channeling pure, chaotic energy. You could feel how deeply the music was in his body—and he made sure you felt it too.
And then came Ponteix. Holy fuck. These guys don’t just play music—they become the music. Originally from the small village of St. Denis, Saskatchewan, and now repping Montreal, Ponteix delivered a set that was straight-up jaw-dropping. A genre-bending blend of indie rock, pop, and electronic—musically tight, emotionally rich, and impossibly cool. Their guitarist? One of the most locked-in performers I’ve ever seen. The way he glided through chord changes, textured soundscapes, and razor-sharp solos—it was like watching a man possessed by his own muse.
Before I dive deeper into these artists on my own blog, let me shout out the real MVPs here: the Francos programming team. Year after year, they serve up the lineup of musical discoveries. You don’t know these bands? You will. Their vibe is, “Trust us. This shit slaps.” And guess what? It does.
Francos isn’t just a music festival. It’s a feeling. A gathering. A damn near spiritual experience for anyone who truly believes in the power of live music to bring people together. It’s not about headliners or hype. It’s about connection—between strangers, between melodies, between beats and hearts.
And if you’ve never been?
Fix that.
Because trust me: you don’t want to miss what happens here.
Paige Barlow
Ponteix
Kourage
Thierry Larose