Over the last ten years the Quebec City Summer Festival (Le Festival d’été de Québec) has grown into an international success, attracting some of the biggest and most prestigious artists anywhere. When looking at most other festivals in North America, each lineup has begun to look like as identical as Walmart shelves. By examining past year’s lineups, you’ll notice headliners not seen at U.S. festivals: Iron Maiden, Rolling Stones, Journey, Metallica, Rush, Peter Gabriel, Lady Gaga and Foo Fighters. And while these top tier headliners can pretty much stage their own festival, even the “undercards” are equally prominent and diverse in 2016: ranging from the worldly metal of Rammstein, visual eye candy of Selena Gomez to the alterna-funk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Taking place July 7th to 17th, 2016 the Quebec City Summer Festival is highlighted by its main stage (the largest of its kind in North America[ ) located on the historic Plains of Abraham with a site capacity of over 100,000 (102,000 at The Rolling Stones concert in 2015). This years headliners include Sting/Peter Gabriel, Ice Cube. Lumineers, Brad Paisley, Kaskade, Bryan Ferry, Duran Duran, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rammstein. The festival also carries over to an eclectic musical selection and its urban setting, with most venues in the downtown area and within walking distance of each other. Out here you can absorb the likes of The Tallest Man on Earth, Brian Fallon, Peter Bjorn & John, Mac Miller, Madeon and Charlie Musselwhite.
So if big stages and wading through huge crowds isn’t your speed, step aside from the Plains of Abraham go the Parc de la Francophonie a 10,000 capacity grassy natural amphitheatre which is hosting folk-indie, pop. You got the Place d’Youville which showcases world beat on stage set for 3,500 people right in the heart of the city. And then you have the Scène Fibe which hots emerging artists in a 1, 500 capacity area in front of the historic Parliament building
Being the first and the oldest, the festival had been a leader for years but by the beginning of the 2000, it was not so much the leader anymore. It was a festival like all the others….with the same artists, the same atmosphere etc. Focus groups were conducted asking the people their wishes. They said they were willing to pay a lot more money (the pass was 15$ at that time) to see artists who don’t usually come to Québec City on their tour, they wanted to see and hear international stars.
The Festival decided then to invest more money into the programming in order to be able to attract big stars. This was in 2003 and it started with ZZ Top and never stopped since then. The programming budget, which used to be around two to three million is now more than 11 million. The results are there: sales and attendance keep growing, reporters want to come, cover the event and the agents want their artist to play the Festival.
“The notoriety of the event is also better. It used to be Canada’s best kept secret…it’s not anymore. At least I hope so….,” says Luci Tremblay, the PR and Communications director for the festival “We worked hard on that these past years, inviting key reporters and photographers and major actors of the industry. Artists, agents, tour managers, they all talk to each other and the word of mouth is positive.”
So here’s the clincher – It’s all for 11 days of music for $75USD – true fact.
“Some people just don’t believe it we manage to have the best artists and still be able to offer such a cheap bargain,” says Tremblay. “The pass allows you to go everywhere and enjoy every show.
Quebec City area is largely French speaking, but being a French speaking city makes Québec even more attractive and offers a charm you won’t find anywhere in North America. The Festival takes place in the heart of the city, at the door of the Old Québec where people are used to welcome tourists all year around. Everybody can speak English and help visitors find their way or understand what is going on. Having celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008, Québec is certainly one of the most picturesque cities in North America and one of the oldest.
“Visiting the Old Québec is like a journey through history: walking around the walls on the cobblestones narrow streets, going through the gates, discovering Château Frontenac – it used to be the most photographed hotel in the world. The majestic St-Lawrence river is also a beauty to discover. You can walk along the river, sail on it or just sit by and enjoy the view,” adds Tremblay.
As for memorable performance in the festival’s history, Tremblay has a few she remembers as standouts:
“Many shows are embedded in my memory forever – let’s think of Stevie Wonder, for instance. He offered us a moving moment during a press conference playing and singing with the press. On stage that night, he announced that he was dedicating his show to the victims of a natural disaster that occurred in Lac-Mégantic a few days before. His presence alone felt healing and sincere. “
I can’t go
on without talking about The Rolling Stones and the fact they chose us to end the tour,” continues Tremblay. “They were nice to work with, and made us benefit from so much media impact and coverage. But to be honest seeing young artists being so thrilled about playing the Festival and realizing what it means to them and their career as well as seeing big stars discovering the magic of this Festival and being astonished at the huge crowd in front of them is part of my pleasure and happiness!”
Québec is also recognized for its high level gastronomy and its “joie de vivre” with lots of restaurants, bars, cafés and terraces in every part of the city. It definitely is a rendez-vous for foodies and pleasure-seekers from all around the globe.. Here are a few recommendations and notes from Trembly for people who want to experience what Quebec has best to offer on the food side…
Nina Pizza Napolitaine: pizza extravaganza, intimate and warm-hearted people!
Le Clocher Penché: amazing local cuisine and wine card.
Le Renard et la Chouette: refreshing place for music amateurs!
Bistro B: in an upper district of the city, when you want to see a show of fresh cooked meal, right under your eyes! Ask François, he’ll cook his mind-blowing risotto….
Le Ciel! Bistro Bar. A restaurant that has Quebec city at its feet, and tourists at heart (at the top of a revolving tower)! It really is a must: great food, perfect ambiance, and the view…. Wow!
And finally for someone deciding on going to either Osheaga or Jazz Fest in Montreal or Quebec City Summer- what separates Quebec from Montreal is pure quaintness and attitude.
“Montréal is a great city, a metropole that has a lot to offer with a diversity of people and culture. However, if you’re looking for a true immersion in history, French culture and nature, Québec is the place,” explains Tremblay. “Québec has a really particular soul and essence that nothing can compare. Québec is sublime. Québec is intense, loving, caring, warm-hearted, loose and mature. Québec has its own way to set on fire: and some say the Festival d’été de Québec as a little something to do with it.”
Tickets are still available, for more information please visit the festival’s website
