Kanen, Alexandra Stréliski and Daniel Bélanger Win Big at Quebec's ADISQ Awards
The 45th ADISQ Gala took place on Sunday evening in Montreal, where the music industry came together to celebrate the artists of the year.
Kanen with her two trophies from ADISQ 2023
It was a time for celebration in the Quebec music industry as it celebrated the winners of the Gala of the Quebec Association of the Record, Show and Video Industry (ADISQ) on Sunday night.
Out of the ten Félix trophies awarded, two each went to Kanen, Alexandra Stréliski and Daniel Bélanger. The Innu singer-songwriter Kanen received recognition from ADISQ as the Indigenous Artist of the Year and Discovery of the Year for her rock-folk album Mitshuap, released in April 2023.
All of the artists competing in the Discovery of the Year category, including Bibi Club, Calamine, Francis Degrandpré, Kanen and Jeanick Fournier, were invited to perform live at the 45th ADISQ Gala.
A legendary figure in Quebec music, Daniel Bélanger, was honoured with Félix awards for Author-Composer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year for his album Mercure en mai. The pianist and composer Alexandra Stréliski, with her neo-classical album Néo-Romance, won in the categories of Artist of the Year – International Exposure and Female Artist of the Year.
It's also worth mentioning that Alexandra Stréliski and Daniel Bélanger moved the audience at the Wilfrid-Pelletier Hall of Place des Arts by performing "The Breach" and "J'entends tout ce qui joue (dans ta tête)" together.
Comedian and humorist Louis-José Houde, hosting his final Gala after 18 years of loyal service, dedicated the evening to Karl Tremblay of Les Cowboys Fringants. Despite Karl's illness, the group had achieved the remarkable feat of bringing together 90,000 people on the Plains of Abraham in July during the Festival d'été de Québec. On Sunday night, Les Cowboys Fringants also received a Félix for Group of the Year.
And the winners of the 45th ADISQ Gala are...
- Show of the Year: "Le tour du bloc" by Michel Rivard
- Album of the Year – Popular Success: "C’est tout moi" by Ginette Reno
- Discovery of the Year: Kanen
- Artist of the Year – International Exposure: Alexandra Stréliski
- Author or Composer of the Year: Daniel Bélanger for "Mercure en mai"
- Indigenous Artist of the Year: Kanen
- Male Artist of the Year: Daniel Bélanger
- Female Artist of the Year: Alexandra Stréliski
- Group or Duo of the Year: Les Cowboys Fringants
- Song of the Year: "Gin à l’eau salée" by Salebarbes
