“Last show, March 7, 2020. We keep hope despite everything. I am working on two programs. Postponements, cancellations, financial losses in advertising. We continue. We saw the vibe, the drive, the public, the artists who still want to come back to us.
The pandemic will end, eh? The gang is ready, we are not counting our hours, we want to see this magic back home. Spring 2021, we hear like everyone else that with 75% vaccination, we will be able to start again. Confidence. I dive back into the booking. And then vlan. In the teeth. Vaccination passport without simplification of the sanitary procedures in the room. Which artist would come cheap for 50 people? We won’t be able to. It’s hard on everyone, I know. I see past shows in my head: when are we going to be able to relive that? “
Breathless, knocked out? The summary of Isabelle Vermette, general and artistic director of Diffusions Pointe-Valaine, who manages a small freshly renovated performance hall (overlooking the Richelieu at the height of Otterburn Park, a marvel), could be that of most of those and those who offer song shows of all kinds across Quebec.
This fall, the second of the pandemic decidedly not over, everyone is trying. Everyone has their battles. The itineraries parade on the virtual roads of the sites of artists, producers and broadcasters. There is a crowd at the half-open gate: Geoffroy, Ingrid St-Pierre, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Jacques Michel, the There are Babies, Pierre Kwenders, Marie Davidson & The Bare Eye, Apple, Laurence-Anne, the Deuxluxes, Plants And Animals… It would take a special notebook to go around the tours announced but not yet in progress. A crossover of potential blessed evenings awaiting ticket holders, people of inextinguishable faith. From report to report, they are still there.
The focus on local artists
And in Montreal, the inaccessible, more and more reserved for pedestrians and cyclists? It takes more than courage to present a Montreal premiere. Will test the boards of the Golden Lion, Beautiful Big Girl ; of Outremont, Evelyne Brochu, Ariane Moffatt ; from Club Soda, the Hay Babies; of the Fifth Hall at Place des Arts, Luce Dufault ; of MTelus, Emile bilodeau with guests. Small list which will grow, according to the breath and the situation: there is a nice pile of new albums whose transposition to the scene would go without saying. Who will live will see, boar!
The festivals have adapted. Francos, International jazz festival, OFF Jazz Festival, Osheaga, SleSONIQ offer small but valuable programming, where local artists have the most beautiful part than ever. At the Francos, more attention will be paid to Clay and Friends, Sarahmee, Jerome 50, and others Blue Jeans Blue, the Marie Mai, Pirate’s heart and Klô Pelgag not taking up all the media space. The FIJM will certainly have some headliners (Patrick Watson, Daniel Lanois, Beyries), but no jazz legends to overshadow the CODE Quartet, Emie R Roussel Trio and the celebration of 25 years of Francois Bourassa Quartet.
Tickets valid, unless otherwise specified
Pop Montreal will be 20 years old and the number of shows will not be so much less abundant than usual: they are used to small places. There will be fewer there, which is not bad: in general, we crowded there until saturation of oxygen. Let us mention The Dears in acoustic formula, Safia Nolin in solo, Li’l Andy, Thus Owls, Marie-Pierre Arthur and the pioneering group of rock girls Fanny.
Last I heard, the Bell Center had not canceled everything: your tickets are still valid for James Taylor, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin, Paul Piché, the Cowboys Fringants and the last of Genesis. And in Pointe-Valaine? Steve Hill, Fred Fortin and threesome, Kevin Parent, Émile Bilodeau are on the bill from October to December.
Surviving the pandemic is one thing, achieving it without support is another, philosopher Isabelle Vermette. “We are at the mercy of a city council that believed in us at the start, but puts us under pressure. Not yet eligible for subsidies, I recycle myself in the funeral while waiting. Isabelle Vermette does not consider herself beaten for all that.
“I am currently looking for financial partners, people who believe in culture, in small places, of course, but where the experience is worth the detour. In war ? Yes I am. To ensure this sustainability in the fire that burns here. To give up ? Never. “
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