It’s no secret that the live music industry is in a weird spot at the moment, and that goes double for large-scale, multi-day events. As festival upon festival declares 2024 to be their last year — or even cancels its already planned programming — we here at Consequence have just about worn out our keyboards trying to get to the bottom of it. From sustainability issues to underwhelming lineups, it seems like the way forward is experiential and niche — and that’s exactly what Quebec’s Festival de Musique Émergente (or FME, for us anglophones) seems calibrated to.
Held in the small town of Rouyn-Noranda (which sits about seven hours north of Toronto and eight hours northwest of Montreal), FME is one part-music festival, one-part community gathering, and three-parts party. Think South by Southwest if it was modest, manageable, and French-Canadian; or, perhaps, your local block party if it had the budget to bring in bands from around the globe.
Unlike, say, Coachella or its Quebecois cousin Osheaga, you won’t find big-named, million-dollar headliners leading the charge at FME. What you will find is a series of intimate, genre-spanning shows scattered throughout the picturesque village, from clubs to venue basements to a parking lot in front of the late-night poutine place. It’s an electric environment full of surprises, excitement, and playful discovery.
For its 2024 edition, FME offered a diverse and highly curated (by Canadian booking agency and label Mothland, no less!) set of performances. New York post-punkers Bodega proved their brand could be attendees’ lives, Quebecois art rockers Karkwa received the welcome of home-country heroes, and Oakland Malian-funk act Orchestra Gold shined as bright as a certain precious metal — and that was just the main stage’s first night.
Here’s a rundown of the highlights from Festival de Musique Émergente 2024, a little-known production that just might have it figured out.
FME Goes Psych(Rock)o
While FME’s programming was wide-reaching, there was one clear streak that lasted throughout the four-day weekend — punky, spunky, and funky psych-rock. Night after night, at several Rouyn-Noranda bars and venues, the sweet sounds of phaser-heavy guitar tones, quirky vocals, and high energy, swirling freakouts echoed throughout the air. Something about cheese curds and gravy just really puts one in the mood for some wild guitar music.