Summer music festivals: top artists to see to discover Quebec’s music scene in 2025

Winter is still holding on in many parts of Quebec, but some festivals are already teasing their summer lineups… and it’s shaping up to be another incredible season of music! With a mix of big-name headliners and rising stars, Quebec’s music scene will be in the spotlight, offering the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in its rich musical culture — in both French and English.

And with lineups being released, now’s the perfect time to start planning your summer calendar, whether you want to support up-and-coming local talents, discover new beats, or just dive headfirst into the summer festival experience. We’ve combed through the first wave of announcements to bring you some of the must-see Quebec and Francophone artists that’ll be lighting up the stage this summer!

Marjo

For decades, Marjo has been a driving force in Quebec’s music scene, captivating audiences with her raw energy and unmistakable voice. A true rock icon, this award-winning singer-songwriter still knows how to set the stage on fire with her timeless anthems — including hits like Provocante and Je sais je sais, both celebrating their 35th anniversary this year.

Where to see Marjo at a festival this summer?

Marjo will be performing on Saturday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at FestiVoix in Trois-Rivières, on Friday, July 4 at 9 p.m. at the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ), and on Friday, July 19 at 9:30 p.m. at Gib Fest in Sorel-Tracy.

Feel like rocking out even longer?

The popular pop-punk band Simple Plan will hit the stage at FestiVoix on July 2, followed by a performance on the Plains of Abraham at the Festival d’été de Québec on July 4.

The Montreal pop-rock quintet Bon Enfant will be performing at the Festival d’été de Québec on July 4 and at Le Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul on July 17.

A key figure in Québec’s punk rock scene, Vulgaires Machins will be playing at Montréal’s Pouzza Fest on May 16, Festival au Lac in Granby on June 5, and Red Bridge Fest (website in French only) in Pont-Rouge on June 7.

Charlotte Cardin and Aliocha Schneider

Musicians (and long-time couple) Charlotte Cardin and Aliocha Schneider will each be following their own paths this summer, performing at different festivals across Quebec. While Cardin continues to release hit after hit, including her 2023 single Feel Good which has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, Schneider has earned four nominations at the most recent ADISQ Gala, including for his song Ensemble. In their own ways, both artists will be showcasing their talents on the Quebec festival scene this summer.

Where to see Charlotte Cardin at a festival this summer

Charlotte Cardin will be part of the first-ever edition of Mélo Festival (website in French only) in Repentigny, happening from June 6 to 8. You can also catch her on Tuesday, July 15 at 10:30 p.m. at the Fête du Lac des Nations in Sherbrooke, on Thursday, July 17 at Festival Générations in Nicolet, as well as on Friday, July 18 at the Festival d’été de Saint-George (website in French only).

Where to see Aliocha Schneider at a festival this summer

Aliocha Schneider will be performing on Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m. at MTELUS as part of the Francos de Montréal, on Thursday, July 4 at 2:30 p.m. for Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée, and on Saturday, July 6 at 7 p.m. on the Monastère stage at FestiVoix in Trois-Rivières.

Feel like venturing into new pop territories?

The bold and daring Billie du Page, at just 20 years old, launched her own record label to self-produce her EP. She’ll be bringing her sweet, feminist pop to Victofest on June 19, FestiVoix on July 6, and Gib Fest on July 16.

The Montréal indie pop trio Men I Trust, who are dropping not one but two albums this year, will perform a free concert on July 2 at Place des Festivals during the Montréal International Jazz Festival, and will also be part of the lineup at the Festival d’été de Québec on July 4.

Matt Lang

With his authentic style and international ambitions, Matt Lang is making a name for himself in the Quebec new country scene. After opening for Luke Combs in front of 80,000 fans on the Plains of Abraham in 2022 and releasing his third album, All Night Longer, in 2024, he’s hitting the road for a summer music festival tour across the province.

Where to see Matt Lang at a festival this summer

You can catch Matt Lang at the new Mélo Festival in Repentigny, happening from June 6 to 8, the first edition of Festival Énergik in Shawinigan on June 12, Expo Lachute Fair in Lachute on July 4, Festival Soif de musique in Cowansville on July 5, Festival Country de Notre-Dame-du-Laus (website in French only) on July 11, and Festival Country Lotbinière on August 21, among others.

Feel like saddling up for more country?

Francis Degrandpré will light up the stage with his crowd-pleasing music at LASSO Montréal on August 15 and at Expo de Lotbinière on August 9.

Get ready for Sara Dufour’s irresistible country-folk melodies with bluegrass vibes at FestiVoix on June 26, Soif de musique on July 6, CountryFest de Saint-Pierre-Baptiste (website in French only) on July 12, and Expo de Lotbinière on August 8.

Guylaine Tanguay will bring her contagious energy and country anthems to Festival des Sucres de Saint-Pierre-Baptiste on May 16, Fête des guitares (website in French only) in Lac-au-Saumon on July 4, and Gib Fest on July 13.

Elisapie

Elisapie, an Inuk singer-songwriter from Salluit, is bringing the beauty of Inuktitut to the world stage. On her fourth solo album, Inuktitut, she reimagines timeless classics from Led Zeppelin, Cyndi Lauper, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and more, blending her language and roots with these iconic songs. This heartfelt tribute to Inuit culture is brought to life by Elisapie’s mesmerizing voice, leaving audiences spellbound wherever she performs.

Where to see Elisapie at a festival this summer

You can catch Elisapie performing on July 3 at 7 p.m. at the Monastère stage at FestiVoix de Trois-Rivières, and also at the brand-new Bloomafest in Mont-Tremblant on May 10 (perfect for those eager to kick off the festival season early!).

Feel like discovering Indigenous music?

The Pekuakamiulnu artist Soleil Launière, named Révélation Radio-Canada 2024-2025, will captivate the crowd at the Festival d’été de Québec on July 7 with her soulful, roots-driven melodies during a free performance on the Hydro-Québec stage at Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale.

The KWE! Show, a vibrant celebration featuring First Nations and Inuit musicians in Quebec, promises unforgettable musical discoveries. Don’t miss this free performance on June 21!

Bruno Pelletier

A true icon of his generation, Bruno Pelletier continues to captivate audiences with his masterful performances. The 25th-anniversary tour celebrating his Miserere album struck gold, selling over 25,000 tickets. Spanning four decades of music, this tour is a tribute to his timeless voice and enduring talent.

Where to see Bruno Pelletier at a festival this summer

Bruno Pelletier will take the stage for a special edition of his Miserere 25th-anniversary show on June 19 at 8 p.m. at the Francos de Montréal. You can also catch him on June 27 at 7 p.m. on the Monastère stage at FestiVoix, and on July 9 at 8 p.m. on the SiriusXM stage at the Festival d’été de Québec.

Feel like hearing more French-Canadian iconic voices?

A pillar of Québec music, Claude Dubois will bring his legendary voice to the 5th edition of Festival Colline in Lac-Mégantic, running from August 7 to 9.

With her unmistakable voice and heartfelt authenticity, Laurence Jalbert will perform on July 5 at the Théâtre de la Vieille Forge for the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée.

Roch Voisine is celebrating 35 years of his iconic album Hélène with a special anniversary tour, stopping at the Festival d’été de Québec on July 9 and Gib Fest on July 11.

Souldia

There’s no denying it: Souldia is at the peak of his craft. With razor-sharp lyrics, hard-hitting beats, and a commanding stage presence, he’s been a dominant force in Quebec’s rap scene for two decades. His 2024 album, Nouvelle vie — his 12th record in just 13 years — cements his status among the most popular rappers in the province.
 

Where to see Souldia at a festival this summer

Catch Souldia live on the Nissan stage at Gib Fest in Sorel-Tracy on July 15 at 9:30 p.m., or on the Desjardins stage at Musique Fest in Rivière-du-Loup on June 12 at 7:45 p.m.

Feel like experiencing the pulse of Quebec’s rap and hip-hop scene?

Sarahmée, whose fourth album dropped last October, will take the stage on July 3 during Festival La Noce in Saguenay and on July 8 on the Plains of Abraham as part of the Festival d’été de Québec.

With over 20 years in the game, K.Maro, the voice behind the hit Femme like U, will perform at Soif de musique festival on July 3 and FestiVoix on July 5.

Loud, one of Montréal’s top rap talents, will kick off his first official show of the year at the brand-new Mélo Festival in Repentigny during the weekend of June 6 to 8.

Salebarbes

With their raw energy, sharp humour, and high-spirited cadjen repertoire, Salebarbes knows how to get a party going wherever they play! No surprise, then, that they took home the Show of the Year award at the 2024 ADISQ Gala. This summer, the five-piece band will keep Quebec dancing and singing along to their infectious tunes, proudly putting the French language at the heart of the celebration!

Where to see Salebarbes at a festival this summer

Catch Salebarbes live on June 12 at 8 p.m. at the Ayer’s Cliff Rodeo, on June 13 at 9:30 p.m. at Musique Fest in Rivière-du-Loup, on June 20 at 9:30 p.m. at Victofest, and on July 7 at 8:30 p.m. as part of the Festival d’été de Québec, where they’ll take over the Bell Stage on the Plains of Abraham. The band will also bring the party to Festival Western Saint-André-Avellin (website in French only) on July 17, Festival Générations in Nicolet on July 18, and Val-des-Bois en musique (Facebook page in French only) on August 21.

Feel like enjoying even more foot-stomping music?

The four-piece band Québec Redneck Bluegrass Project, known for blending folk, bluegrass, punk, and traditional music will take the stage at the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac on June 12, Festival Énergik on June 14, LASSO Montréal on August 16, and Val-des-Bois en musique on August 23.

Self-proclaimed as “the ultimate party band in Quebec,” Lendemain de veille will be turning up the energy at Festival Énergik on June 12 and Festival des Guitares de Lac-au-Saumon on July 3.

Our team members recommend…

Looking for even more recommendations? Here are some of our team members’ favourite artists playing at festivals this summer!

QW4RTZ

“QW4RTZ is a quartet that gives popular songs an a cappella twist. The group pairs meticulously crafted arrangements with a healthy dose of comedy. I had the pleasure of discovering them during their performance at the Just For Laughs Festival a few years ago.” — Melanie S., Project Manager, Web Content

QW4RTZ will be performing on July 1st at 9:00 p.m. at FestiVoix in Trois-Rivières, the hometown of the band members.

CRi

“I’ve never been a groupie in my life, except for CRi. He’s my favourite Quebec DJ, delivering creative electronic music that’s accessible to everyone, whether you’re at Igloofest or on a road trip. Even my mother-in-law listens to him, and that’s saying something! From Me and Hidden Places always put me in a good mood. Besides loving his sound, I really appreciate his stage presence, he really connects with the crowd and shares his passion. I have great respect for him because he showcases Quebec beyond just the music. You can find some of his filmed sets on Youtube, where he performs surrounded by floor hockey players in Montréal or on a dock by a lake up north. He’s a DJ that embodies Quebec!" — Patricia D., Web Production & Development Agent

CRi will be performing at the very-first Mélo Festival in Repentigny, happening June 6 to 8. The detailed schedule will be released soon, so stay tuned!

Patrick Watson

“I’m a big fan of Patrick Watson, especially his song Je te laisserai des mots and his collaboration with The Cinematic Orchestra, To Build a Home. I’ve had the chance to see him perform several times, including at the Live à Lost River festival. There was an intimacy and closeness that I’d never experienced before at a festival. It really was an exclusive and immersive experience!” — Rafaëlle D., Tourism Web Agent

Patrick Watson will be part of the lineup at the new Bloomafest festival in Mont-Tremblant on May 10, at La Commission B in the Portneuf region on June 20, and at Festival La Noce in Saguenay on July 5.

Clay and Friends

“My favourite discovery in recent years is undoubtedly Clay and Friends, a Montreal-based band that blends soul, funk, and hip-hop to create melodies that many affectionately call ‘La musica popular de Verdun.’ I find their music incredibly refreshing and joyful. Their rhythm takes me back to vacation days, summer afternoons, road trips, and moments spent with family or friends. I love how they mix French and English to add something unique to their music, which is just perfect for bringing a little happiness into your day. I really love their song Going Up the Coast, which reminds me of dreamy landscapes where the sun and waves are waiting, their collaboration with Naâman, Lucky Day, which makes you want to dance to its tropical beat, and Bouge ton thang, which is probably their most popular track.” — Marie-Anne G., Project Manager, Multimedia Content Creation

Clay and Friends will be performing at the Festibière events in Sherbrooke (May 23), Lévis (June 27), and Québec City (August 14).

And the best part? There are still many more lineup announcements coming soon! Keep your eyes peeled and fill your summer calendar with music in Quebec!