ALL TYPES OF CHANSON
Franco Folies highlights
Yann Perreau, Louis-Jean Cormier, Éric Lapointe, Claude Dubois and an encore from Pierre Lapointe are on the menu for the 29th FrancoFolies de Montréal, June 8 to 18.
The annual celebration of francophone music is also known as the ramp-up to the Montreal International Jazz Festival. It’s organized by jazz fest producers Équipe Spectra and takes place on the same site, on and around Place des Festivals.
Cormier plays a solo show on a double bill at Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts on June 14, as part of Les grands spectacles Bell. The indie vocalist, of Karkwa fame, became a household name as a judge on La Voix. Rounding out the evening is Quebec singer-songwriter Martin Léon, known for his atmospheric film soundtracks.
Other concerts in the series include legendary Quebec singersongwriter Dubois performing a show called Dubois en liberté (June 16); France’s Thomas Fersen with an evening of songs, monologues, stories and poems (June 15); and French chanson star Vincent Delerm, making his FrancoFolies debut in support of last year’s critically acclaimed sixth album À présent (Tôt ou tard), with opener Vianney (June 13).
Pierre Lapointe adds one more performance to his three previously announced shows at the Maison symphonique, June 14 to 16. He returns June 17 for a repeat performance of his concept concert Amours, délices et orgues, combining design, dance, monologue and his trademark alt-pop.
Now based in Montreal, gravelly voiced rapper Rymz brings his rugged
street styles and a decade of hits to Metropolis on June 9, with opening act Souldia as part of Les nuts Ford. Among the other names in the series are smooth electropop artist Peter Peter, presenting the polished sounds of his new album Noir Éden (June 10); French rap juggernaut MHD with a second show (June 16), after a sold-out June 15 date; and roaring Quebec rocker Éric Lapointe, doing what he does best (June 17).
Quebec songsmith Perreau kicks off the Chansons intimes series with his artful pop concoctions, June 9 at Place des Arts’s Cinquième Salle. That series continues with III 3, a triple bill featuring singer-pianists Ingrid St-Pierre, Fanny Bloom and Delphine Coutant (June 10); and poetic French chanteur Albin de la Simone in a two-part show with Saratoga, the harmonizing duo of Montrealers Michel- Olivier Gasse and Chantal Archambault (June 15).
Rwandan-Québécois R&B crooner Corneille launches the Tendances series at Club Soda on June 9, with a celebration of his 15 years of soul-pop artistry. Others in the series include thoughtful French rapper Georgio, presenting songs from his new album Héra (June 10); Bristol-based groove ensemble Frànçois and the Atlas Mountains, led by French singer François Marry (June 14); and fraternal French rap duo Bigflo et Oli, a hit at 2015’s festival, back for more on June 16.
Luc De Larochellière plays songs from his 11th album, Autre monde, June 10 at L’Astral as part of the Tout en chanson series. Other notables include cheeky Quebec singer-songwriter Sally Folk, presenting material from her new album Troisième acte (June 14); earnest Acadian folk-pop artist Caroline Savoie (June 15); Émile Bilodeau and his new-school Jean Leloup style (June 16); and Bernhari, performing the electro-noir songs of his second album (June 17).
Previously announced shows include Fred Fortin (June 15 at Club Soda); Daniel Bélanger (June 17 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier of Place des Arts); Safia Nolin (June 17 at Théâtre Maisonneuve); Katerine (June 9 at Théâtre Maisonneuve); Klô Pelgag with l’Orchestre du Temple Thoracique (June 10 at Théâtre Maisonneuve); Catherine Major (June 14 at Cinquième Salle); and Richard Séguin (June 16 at Cinquième Salle).