PARTNER CONTENT
Festival d'été de Québec (FEQ) is the Canada's best kept secret, and the best way to see the biggest artists all in one place without spending a fortune.
Every summer, the Quebec City festival brings some of the world's most popular artists of every genre to the Plains of Abraham and other stages throughout the city for 10 days, with headliners playing to as many as 100,000 people. A pass for the whole festival is $150, all taxes included, which just might be the best value of any pass for any festival all year.
This year's 56th edition of the festival, running from July 4-14, boasts some of the biggest names in music. Post Malone will play his only announced Canadian date at FEQ, while J Balvin and Ivan Cornejo will play a Canadian-exclusive Latin night. They'll be joined by many other of the biggest names in music: pop stars Jonas Brothers, legendary rappers 50 Cent and Nas, rockers Nickelback and Mötley Crue, punk bands The Offspring and Rise Against, country musicians The Zac Brown Band and Canadian dance stars Loud Luxury. And that just scratches the surface.
“This year, we're offering several new features, starting with the reintroduction of Place D'Youville, a historic venue cherished by festival-goers that we're returning to in a different capacity. The FEQ will thus have two free stages: Place D'Youville and the Hydro-Québec Stage at Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale, which contributes to enhancing the fan experience and making our festival even more accessible” says Nicolas Racine, CEO of event organizer and promoter BLEUFEU. “We have many more surprises in store for you, including a collaboration with the Grand Théâtre de Québec, improvements to our sites, and other innovations.”
FEQ also spotlights Quebecois artists, and this year two artists from Quebec get "carte blanche" for headlining performances on the Bell Stage at the Plains of Abraham (the 100,000 capacity historic venue) with their choice of special guests and other surprises. Veteran Quebec band, Polaris Prize-winners Karkwa will get the honour one night, while the extremely popular neo-classical pianist Alexandra Stréliski will play a carte blanche show as well.
In addition to the many superstar artists playing, there's also plenty to discover. There are multiple stages throughout Quebec City, both indoor and outdoor, and some are entirely free. There's afropop music, funk, metal, folk and much more.
The FEQ pass is on sale at feq.ca for $150, taxes included, delivery fees excluded. Signature Bell Zone passes and tickets for the Jardin Air Canada will go on sale on April 4. Interested individuals can sign up for the FEQ newsletter to stay informed about the second round of sales.Check out the full lineup on the poster and the stage-by-stage breakdown below it via FEQ:
Bell Stage at the Plains of Abraham
On July 4, the FEQ kicks off with Canadian rock featuring a performance by Nickelback. It's the first time for Chad Kroeger's band at the FEQ, as they had to cancel their appearance in 2015. Arkells and JJ Wilde will open the evening. On Friday, July 5, legendary rapper 50 Cent, an icon of the genre, will grace the stage. Killer Mike and Connaisseur Ticaso will perform too. On Saturday, July 6, the Festival welcomes the famous Jonas Brothers and their infectious and danceable pop hits. Just before, Canadian Carly Rae Jepsen will perform, preceded by Diamond Cafe. On Sunday, July 7, it's punk rock mode with The Offspring and Rise Against. The explosive female trio Meet Me @ The Altar will kick off the evening.
On Monday, July 8, the immense talent of Alexandra Stréliski will take the stage, with the FEQ giving her carte blanche. We'll have a fully female opening with Elisapie and Beyries, promising an enchanting evening. On July 9, the Quebec momentum continues with a second carte blanche granted to Karkwa. Seattle-based Fleet Foxes and New Brunswick’s Hay Babies will take the stage too. Details surrounding the carte blanche performances will be announced later. On July 10, it's Electro-FEQ night on the Plains with Norwegian Alan Walker and the famous duo Loud Luxury, preceded by Quebec's Mike Demero and German DJ Lovra.
Thursday, July 11, we switch to country mode with Zac Brown Band, preceded by the sensation Charley Crockett and an artist to discover, Morgan Wade. Friday, July 12, will be one of the most anticipated nights of the festival as Post Malone arrives in town. Rising star Jessie Murph and Canadian group Valley will take the stage just before. On the 13th, we dive into the reggaeton world with J Balvin. More names will be added to the line-up, such as regional Mexican artist Ivan Cornejo. On Sunday, July 14, we end the festival with a glam rock icon, the legendary group Mötley Crüe, with the opening act to be announced soon, but at the very beginning of the evening, Canadian Lee Aaron will set the stage on fire.
Double Stage at Parc de la Francophonie
Once again this year, Parc de la Francophonie will host two stages side by side: the Loto-Québec Stage and the SiriusXM Stage. Located directly on Jacques Parizeau Street, the stages will offer alternating shows, with 5 performances each evening starting at 5:50 PM.
Clay and Friends will take care of the opening night on the 2nd stage of the FEQ. Fredz, Miel de Montagne, and Calamine will set the mood. As an opening act, we welcome Baby Volcano, a visit from a collaboration with the Paléo Festival in Switzerland. On July 5, bluegrass formation The Dead South will headline, preceded by Acadian P'tit Belliveau, Amigo The Devil, Bohemian Betyars, and Innu artist Matiu. On July 6, we have a metal night with Killswitch Engage, KiTTIE, Havok, Get the Shot, and Peer Pressure. July 7th will be dominated by female pop with American headliner Ava Max. American rapper Charlieonnafriday will grace the stage right before. Canadian artist Jade LeMac, Clodelle and Laraw will also be part of the lineup. On July 8, we have an indie night with American bands Mt Joy and Future Islands, preceded by Elliot Maginot, Gabrielle Shonk, and La Force.
On the 9th, it's hip-hop mode with the legendary American rapper NAS, preceded by TOBi, Rymz, Mike Shabb&Nicholas Craven, and Violent Ground. An announcement is pending for the lineup on July 10. On the 11th, we welcome English folk-rock alternative artist Ben Howard. Just before, Martha Wainwright, heir to the famous Wainwright musical family. Just before, the Montreal folk collective The Franklin Electric, who recently played to a full house at the Imperial Bell, Toronto's New West, and Sara Danielle. On July 12, we welcome American band Kansas, celebrating 50 years of career this year. Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell and Quebecers The Box and Mystery will perform too. The lineup for July 13 remains to be announced. Finally, on the 14th, we end beautifully with Michel Rivard. Les Sœurs Boulay, Marie-Anick Lépine, Hauterive, a duo composed of multi-instrumentalists Mara Tremblay and Catherine Durand, and the Innu trio Maten complete the evening.
Hydro-Québec Stage at Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale
Entirely free, the Hydro-Québec Stage will host an eclectic lineup that, as usual, will reserve some evenings for world music.
On July 4, we start with the psychedelic soul-pop of British artist Yellow Days, preceded by another English project, King Hannah. The evening kicks off with the Nigerian collective Etran de L'Air. On July 5, the stage is handed over to Le Roy La Rose et Le Loup, a collective project featuring Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose, and Lou-Adriane Cassidy. Jérôme 50 and La Sécurité will open the evening. On July 6, it's party time with Valaire, making up for the missed appointment of 2023 due to bad weather. Acadian heavy soul group Les Moontunes and Mexican cumbia punk band Son RompePera will perform before. On July 7, we have world music with the unique guitar playing of Vieux Farka Touré and the Congolese ensemble Kin’Gongolo Kiniata, preceded by the Montreal funk collective Fredy V & The Foundation. On July 8, we are charmed by the soulful voice of Lady Wray. Just before, Brainstory with their unique genre blend. American soul group Thee Sinseers will complete the trio of performances.
On July 9, we have American folk-pop with Hurray for the Riff Raff and Canadian Nico Paulo. Quebec group Night Lunch will open the program. July 10 is a francophone night with the indefinable Phil Brach, preceded by local flagship group Valence and Laurence-Anne. On July 11, the evening starts with Maïa Barouh in electro-tribal pop, then turns to reggae diva Queen Omega and one of the big catches of the Hydro-Québec Stage with French artist Biga Ranx and his festive reggae pop. On July 12, we have a rendezvous with the reggae dancehall sound system L’Entourloop, preceded by the quirky Rich Aucoin and the trio Zar Electrik. July 13 is dedicated to Quebec hip-hop with Sensei H and Aswell, followed by the always colorful Alaclair Ensemble as headliner. On the 14th, we end with world music with Tuareg guitarist Bombino. Just before, the futuristic afro-funk of Londoners Ibibio Sound Machine and Cameroonian Valérie Ekoume in afropop.
Scène Découverte at Place D’Youville
This year, a new stage dedicated to musical discoveries comes to life at Place D’Youville, offering a free program and promising a diversity of musical genres. Among the artists on the lineup, we can appreciate performances by Yocto, ALIAS, Population II, Carl Mayotte, Bada-Bada, L'Rain, Naïma Frank, Täbï Yösha, Rau Ze, San James, Georgia Harmer, Helena Deland, Oui Merci, Grand Eugène, Mon Doux Saigneur, DVTR, Élégie, Wine Lips, Ten Minute Detour, Vox Rea, Aysanabee, Soraï, Joe Rocca, Greenwoodz, De Flore, Malaimé Soleil, BoBo OnO, Fovelle, The Blaze Velluto Collection, Frais Dispo, Emi Jeen, Dee Holt and Goodbye Karelle. All details of these shows are available on FEQ.ca.
Extra-FEQ: Explosive Late Nights at the Manège militaire
The electro late nights are back at the Manège militaire with the FEQ Extras featuring performances every night from 10:30 PM to 1:00 AM. Artists present this year include Jessu & Pyka, MADDS, Ferias, Mike Demero, Mandiz, TIZI, Laurence Matte, Ouri, M.I.M, Acid Arab (DJ set), Dj Shieldie, Lucky Rose, Tinzo, Lovra, Arielle Roberge, HoneyLuv, Young Bombs, Pickuplines, Dj Joanna Magik, Annabel Stop It, Canicule Tropicale, and Indus.
Shows Co-presented with the Grand Théâtre de Québec
FEQ is pleased to welcome the Grand Théâtre de Québec as a co-presenting partner. Together, they will present the Quebec Voyages Series, which will be presented at the Grand Théâtre during the Festival. The content of this program will be announced soon. It should be noted that tickets for these series of shows must be purchased separately, as the FEQ pass will not grant access. They will be available for sale individually through the regular box office of the Grand Théâtre de Québec when the program is unveiled.
