Le Festif 2024: The Best Bands We Saw

With nearly a dozen stages and a number of interactive kiosks throughout the city’s downtown area, Le Festif gives music lovers a comprehensive program with a large range of talent. Many of the acts originate from Quebec, as well as a number of out-of-province and international artists. This year’s lineup showcased notable names, such as Half Moon Run, Little Belliveau, Soul Glo and Corridor, just to name a few. Festivalgoers were also treated to “surprise” shows throughout the weekend. One of such shows featured a tribute to the late Karl Tremblaylead singer of The Cowboys Fringants – a beloved Quebec folk-rock band who were also present at Le Festif’s inaugural festival back in 2010.

Located just over an hour north of Quebec City, Baie-Saint-Paul and its 7000 inhabitants are no stranger to tourism – the city attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year due to its breathtaking scenery and year-round outdoor activities. With demolition terrain formed as the result of a meteorite impact millions of years ago, the geological history of the region in which Baie-Saint-Paul is located is just as unique as the origins of Le Festif. The landscape that surrounds the festival is a direct reminder that the natural beauty of the region forms an indispensable part of its essence. In fact, the festival’s name is a direct homage to one of Charlevoix’s mountains, “Le Massif,” a coveted destination for winter sports lovers. When attendees were not at any one of the festival’s stages, you could easily find them cooling off in the local river. However, swimming in the river did not mean that you were missing out on the shows, as the music from the live performances from the nearby stage could be heard from the water.

Half Moon Run performing at Le Festif 2024 (Photo by Jay Kearney)

Dylan Phillips from Half Moon Run, who performed at the festival’s main stage on the Saturday evening, agreed that the natural landscape of Baie-Saint-Paul left him feeling as though he entered a mystical place. This was the band’s second time performing at Le Festif and presumably not the last, as the people and the town appear to have completely charmed the trio.

To be at Le Festif, whether as an artist or a festival-goer, is to be a part of something bigger. It is a celebration of the arts, as well as that of the community that has brought Le Festif to life for the past fifteen years. As stated by Phillips, “Just walking around (Baie-Saint-Paul), everyone feels so excited to be here … everybody is giving this energy that just all blends together and becomes this real magical thing.”

Bombino performing at Le Festif 2024. (Photo by Caroline Perron)

Bombino, a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Niger, shared his admiration for the town and its people with the crowd on the night of his performance. Like many non-Quebec residents, Bombino admitted to having not heard about Baie-Saint-Paul until being invited to Le Festif. Bombinos bassist also spoke to the crowd and explained in French: “On ne savait pas que ce paradis existait (we did not know that this paradise existed).” A hidden gem to many, but home to a lucky few, one of Le Festif’s greatest accomplishments to date is its ability to introduce this slice of heaven to new audiences every year.

There were many things to rejoice about at Le Festif, including Corridors first performance back in their home province since 2022 and the release of their fourth album, Mimi. Other artists, such as Little Belliveau, also had new music to share with the crowd. At their midnight show at the famous Pit à sable stage, they tackled some tracks from their recently released self-titled album. Another one of the festival’s many successes is its continued dedication to allowing greater accessibility to the arts by offering a number of shows free of charge.

P’tit Belliveau performing at Le Festif 2024 (Photo by Caroline Perron)

Le Festif is not only an occasion for music lovers to enjoy and discover new artists, but it is a time for newcomers to the Charlevoix region to discover it through music. It is a chance for many to escape the city for the weekend, and to cherish the landscape that was crafted by the cosmos millions of years ago. As the days went on, and the stars began to illuminate the night sky of Baie-Saint-Paul, music continued to be played and the small town kept the party going.

Le Festif’s 16th edition will be held the same time next year, July 17 to 20, 2025 | TICKETS & INFO