FME announces line-up, its next Level!

16th Edition Dates

Innovative programming announced for the 16th Edition of the FME

Rouyn-Noranda, July 18, 2018 – FME is eager to stay at the forefront of the independent music scene, the Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME) unveils a solid, diverse 2018 programme that is sure to please music lovers of all stripes. Several fan favorites are back, including many well-known acts, and of course, there are dozens of up-and-coming artists as well. The FME is always reinventing itself, and this edition promises to be as unique as always, offering quality, variety, and surprises throughout the Labour Day weekend (August 30–September 2).

Exclusive presentations

After over a decade, the FME sees the rebirth of a real tour de force: Karkwatson, bringing together members of Patrick Watson‘s band and Karkwa! This exclusive show will be presented twice, and its rich and complex textures are sure to excite serious music lovers.

This edition also features an exclusive, brand-new show from an iconic Quebec artist who got their start at the FME. Stay tuned: Details of this show will be released on August 24. Ticket sales also begin on that date.

Over sixty musical acts to discover

On Thursday, August 30, the FME starts with a bang on 7th Street! Random Recipe and The Brooks, known for their knockout live shows, get the party started with a hot night of rap- and funk-accented grooves. Also on the programme: Nakhane, Hubert Lenoir, and Klaus (announced in May), as well as celebrated Acadian group les Hôtesses d’Hilaire.

On Friday, August 31, Lydia Képinski, Lyse and the Hot Kitchen, Mehdi Cayenne, Penny Diving and Dave Chose will perform at the “cinq-à-sept”, after which Choses Sauvages will launch their debut album at the Cabaret de la dernière chance. Rock will resound on 7th Street with Johnny Mafia and Galaxie, while Obia le Chef, Yes Mccan, and Rymz will take the Paramount Stage for the first of two hip-hop nights. Jesse Mac Cormack, Jesuslesfilles, and Kandle will also appear at various other venues. And the evening will end with a bang at the Diable Rond with Jittery Jack and Miss Amy, Dexter Romweber and guests will take the late shift on Friday, with a repeat engagement the next day.

Saturday afternoon, families are welcome to enjoy the rhythms of The Blaze Velluto Collection. From 5 pm onward, downtown Abitibi will come alive to the strains of Jérôme 50, Les Louanges, Debbie Tebbs, Soggy Beard, DONZELLE and the launch of the highly-anticipated debut album from Babylones. Meanwhile, in Old Noranda, Camaromance, Moonwalks, Les Marinellis, Yonatan Gat (with the Eastern Medicine Singers), Xarah Dion, FRIGS, TEKE::TEKE, and Yamantaka // Sonic Titan will all play, while Zach Zoya, FouKi and Loud take on hip-hop duties. Then, in the wee hours, the Petit Théâtre will throb with heavy electro beats from Ouri (live).

This long weekend of musical joy will come to a close on Sunday. Festivalgoers have a choice of no fewer than seven “cinq-à-sept” shows: Alexandra Stréliski, Qualité Motel, Felix Dyotte, Samuele, Simon Daniel, Jessica Moss, and LARCHE. Holy Two and Milk & Bone will perform at the Agora des arts while the triple bill of BackStabber, Depths of Hatred, and Cattle Decapitation play the always-thrilling Metal Night at the Petit Théâtre du Vieux Noranda.

The Death Wheelers and Constellation Nightclub will end the evening at the Cabaret de la dernière chance and the Diable Rond.

A 7th Street more exciting than ever

The geographical heart of the festival, dear to the entire FME community, 7th Street will be more exciting than ever this year: Two nights of outdoor shows, a chill-out space, various DJs, and an even broader array of food and drink booths, open from noon to 3 am! As always, the ambiance is sure to be superb as we welcome artists to our 16th edition

Enhanced Digital Content

Scenography has always been a big part of the FME, and its digital component has become increasingly important over the years. This is not surprising, given our host city’s wealth of tech talent. In addition to video mapping installations, presented in collaboration with UQAT, a pop-up virtual reality garden will wow festivalgoers with musical projects in virtual and augmented reality, accompanied by interactive events. The sports complex Le Mudra joins the FME adventure, hosting the alternative-reality piece Rêve de l’ONF, a brief immersion in a parallel dimension, inspired by the unique mechanisms of dreams.

Passports on sale now

The mad dash for both Standard and Deluxe Passports begins today, July 18, at 2 pm. Passport holders can select the shows they wish to attend until midnight on July 24, and individual tickets go on sale at noon on July 25. Go to fmeat.org to purchase passports or single tickets.

As part of FME’s La clique system, bracelets are available that allow both free access to “cinq-à-sept” events and virtual payments throughout the Festival. For the first time, these bracelets act as virtual passports. Festivalgoers can pick up their bracelets at the FME box office as of Monday, August 27. The FME blog La bouche croche offers fresh original content throughout the summer, and Festival radio station CFME goes live to air starting August 16 at 100.5 FM and at radio.fmeat.org. Get ready for an exciting new edition of this great festival!

Concert Vibes

Source

FME | communications@fmeat.org