If recent political events have you yearning to hop over the border to Canada, this week’s a perfect time to do so–at least temporarily. In its 51st season, the Festival d’Été in Quebec City brings a diverse variety of music artists to ten indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city. The performers include international headliners like Lorde, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, Beck, and The Weeknd among many more, but it’s even more exciting as a showcase for genres outside the realm of mainstream pop–including jazz, French song, blues, folk and world music–and performers who represent the best of Canadian and Quebecois talent right now.
At the Parc de la Francophonie, the lineup includes the Netherlands’ Altin-Gun; Montreal electronica/trip-hop rising star Geoffroy; emerging French artist Lou-Adriane Cassidy; and South African garage rockers Make-Overs, among others. Meanwhile, the free concerts at the Place D’Youville feature performers like Israeli-Canadian singer-songwriter Yael Deckelbaum; Quebec’s own Klo Pelgag; blues singer Rebecca Noelle; and Afrobeat band Gabacho Maroc. Indoors, the Imperial Bell concert hall will host artists transcending genre boundaries, the District Saint-Joseph will host after-hours shows, and the charming new venue Théâtre Petit Champlain will present intimate jazz performances. (July 5-15. infofestival.com)
