Québec City to host Canada’s Largest Urban Festival July 4 – 14
This might be the only time you are going to see Guns ‘n’ Roses on the same festival line-up as Stevie Wonder. And when else will you get a chance to see the Wu-Tang and Bad Religion on the same night?
Festival d’été de Québec, billed as Canada’s largest urban festival, kicks off this Thursday, July 4 and runs until July 14.
And it’s got one of the impressive festival line-ups in the country.
Boasting over 1,000 artists at 300 shows, Festival d’été takes place in downtown Québec City amidst historical sites such as the Plains of Abraham.
Notable artists include Rush, Tiesto, the Black Keys, MGMT, Belle & Sebastian Father John Misty, Bruno Mars, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Diamond Rings, Weezer and more.
And the Wu Tang Clan show is especially of note as the show is going to feature RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa.
Killa indeed.
I think everybody can find something to like” – Festival d’été de Québec Communications Director Luci Tremblay
With the entire city essentially going festival crazy during the week, Communications Director Luci Tremblay says that audiences all across North America travel to Québec to be a part of the event.
“I think everybody can find something to like,” says Tremblay. “I know a lot of people are very excited for the Wu Tang because they haven’t come here for a very long time. Also the Black Keys are coming back. The last time they were here they weren’t nearly as popular as they are now.”
Passes for Festival d’été, priced at $76, allow audiences to access the different shows that are happening throughout the week.
“You can go and see some of Passion Pit and then go and catch another show on a different stage,” says Tremblay.
Festival d’été sold 75,000 passes before making any announcement on their line-up. C’est fou!
An annual event, Festival d’été has since made some notable artistic programming changes.
“Last year we had one night of electro music. It was on the Plains of Abraham and it was full of people and it was magical. Everyone was happy and dancing,” says Tremblay.
“We decided to emphasize this so we have four nights of electro music now.”
Electro artists for the Festival include Austra and A Tribe Called Red amongst others.
Saskatoon’s The Sheepdogs added to Festival d’été
Saskatoon’s favourite rock export The Sheepdogs will be making an appearance at Festival d’été on Sunday, July 14 at Imperial de Québec.
Having made massive leaps and bounds since their fateful appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone, The Sheepdogs have been playing some of their biggest shows yet.
“In earlier years we struggled to break through in the Québec market. In the last couple years however it has been great,” says the band. “During our last Canadian tour our shows in Québec City and Montreal were the loudest (crowd-wise) and rowdiest. Québec has definitely become a highlight of touring Canada for us now.
“There is a great genuine appreciation of rock music in Québec and we are really happy to be welcomed into it.”
While their touring schedule has obviously been busy – the band recently played on Canada Day at London’s free concert in Trafalgar Square just after they performed at Glastonbury – don’t expect a new album from The Sheepdogs anytime soon.
However, if you catch them live you might get a taste of what’s next for the band.
“We have been road testing some new songs already in our set now,” says the band. “Come fall we are taking some time off to have a bit of a break and really start working on new tunes.
“If all goes as planned we will be recording come late fall or early 2014.”
Stay tuned for reviews and coverage from Ominocity on Festival d’été de Québec.
– Photos of the festival courtesy of Festival d’été. The Sheepdogs photo courtesy of the band