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Awards

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​

Kanen with her two trophies from ADISQ 2023

Eric Myre

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.

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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
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Owen Riegling
Courtesy Photo

Owen Riegling

Country

Owen Riegling, The Washboard Union, MacKenzie Porter to play CCMA House in Kelowna

The lineup for the two-day event that is part of Country Music Week 2025 is crammed with past CCMA Award winners and many of this year's top nominees.

The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced CCMA House: Live at Waterfront Park, a two-day all-ages event set for Sept. 12 and 13 that appears poised to be a highlight of Country Music Week 2025, in Kelowna, B.C. A truckload full of established and emerging Canadian country stars will perform, including Jade Eagleson, Andrew Hyatt, James Barker Band, Alexandra Kay, JoJo Mason, Madeline Merlo, Tyler Joe Miller, Jess Moskaluke, Meghan Patrick, MacKenzie Porter, Restless Road, Owen Riegling, SACHA, Thelma & James, The Washboard Union and more.

Introducing the event (produced by Thick as Thieves Entertainment), Amy Jeninga, president of the CCMA, states that "Kelowna’s stunning waterfront provides the perfect backdrop for a celebration of community, connection, and the incredible depth of talent in country music." A vendor market, food trucks and a fully licensed area are also features of CCMA House.

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