Les Cowboys Fringants, Alexandra Stréliski, Rau_Ze Among Winners at Quebec's 2024 ADISQ Awards

It was a year of change for the Quebec Association of the Record, Show and Video Industry (ADISQ)’s annual gala – Quebec’s music industry’s most prominent awards show.

The 46th edition of the ADISQ Gala opened beautifully on Sunday, November 3, at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, with comedian Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais hosting for the first time.

The evening began with a trilingual performance that showcased the organization’s new commitment to diversity. Elisapie performed “Taimaa Qimatsiniungimat,” a poignant version of Leonard Cohen's “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” in Inuktitut, before Karkwa took over with “Gravité” in French and Half Moon Run offered “You Can Let Go” in English.

Instrumental pianist Alexandra Stréliski's album Néo-Romance won the Félix trophy for Album of the Year — Popular Success, beating out Les Cowboys Fringants. Stréliski was then named Female Artist of the Year, sharing the stage with the other finalists for a moment of collective celebration.

Quebec legends Les Cowboys Fringants, honouring the memory of longtime band member Karl Tremblay who died last year, took home the award for Author or Composer of the Year and the Félix for Song of the Year for “La fin du show.” They were also voted Group or Duo of the Year, receiving a standing ovation.

For the first time, the Indigenous Artist of the Year category was opened to a public vote, and Elisapie won this prestigious award. Upon receiving this distinction from Alanis Obomsawin, she expressed her pride while paying tribute to her ancestors, stating that they deserved the recognition that her generation receives today.

This advancement is part of a broader context, as ADISQ has expanded its commitment to inclusivity by including the categories "Indigenous Artist of the Year" and "Revelation of the Year" in the public vote. Though the organization gives many awards over multiple nights, it has sometimes been criticized for falling short of representing the rich cultural diversity of Quebec's music panorama.

In a significant moment, Rau_Ze became the first project to win in ADISQ’s new Soul/R&B category. This category, launched in March, aims to highlight R&B, soul, and gospel albums – genres experiencing rapid growth in Quebec. Supported by ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Collective, and Maison Kanda, a dedicated soul/R&B label, this initiative emphasizes the importance of recognizing and promoting artists in these genres. Although there’s still room to recognize the Afro-descendant roots of soul and R&B in Quebec at future galas, it marks a promising beginning.

Among the other highlights, hip-hop artist Lost, along with his guest Loud, performed "Parano" on piano. Karkwa took home the award for Rock Album of the Year. Salebarbes won Show of the Year for "À boire deboutte," while the iconic Jean-Pierre Ferland was honored for his immense contribution to Quebec music.

The evening concluded on a high note, with Charlotte Cardin receiving the Félix for Artist of the Year — International Radiance. Acclaimed by the audience, she closed this edition of the Gala, amid memorable performances by artists such as Isabelle Boulay, Roch Voisine, Souldia, Roxane Bruneau and Les Trois Accords.

For full Gala results,click here.

Winners of the 46th ADISQ Gala:

• Album of the Year – Popular Success: Néo-Romance by Alexandra Stréliski
• Artist of the Year – International Radiance: Charlotte Cardin
• Indigenous Artist of the Year: Elisapie
• Author or Composer of the Year: Les Cowboys Fringants for La fin du show
• Revelation of the Year: BARNEV
• Show of the Year: À boire deboutte by Salebarbes
• Group or Duo of the Year: Les Cowboys Fringants
• Female Artist of the Year: Alexandra Stréliski
• Male Artist of the Year: Daniel Bélanger
• Song of the Year: La fin du show by Les Cowboys Fringants