ROUYN-NORANDA, QUÉBEC, CANADA, Sept 6, 2016 - The curtain has closed on the 14
th edition of the
Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME.) Under the watchful gaze of Jos Dumulon (an early Rouyn settler in the 1900s who established the general store on Lake Osisko whose archival photo was used as inspiration for this year’s artistic takeover of the town) this year’s festival was magnificent edition marked by sunshine, musical discoveries imbued with the contagious excitement of festival-goers. Memorable performances happened all over and all day long in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec.
With hearts, minds and ears full, the festival accomplished all it set out to do. More than 34 000 attendees were on site this year. On top of the four major outdoor concerts on the 7
th avenue stage, almost all venues were sold out every night.
The magic of FME is that it exists for each in its own way. The curious can try out new music, the partiers can dance in the street on 7
th avenue to DJ sets and indulge in interactive installations and the hardcore music fans can pick up their festival passports and bounce from room to room.
FME is an important event on the music industry calendar for professionals who make the pilgrimage annually to the Abitibi-Temiscaminque region. This year, 60 professionals from Europe and more than 140 Canadian professionals attended the industry networking events. The volunteers also numbered over 300 around town. They worked to transport people and things, to welcome artists and festival-goers, aided in ticketing, with the
festival radio station, in the bars and many other vital tasks. Each of them make a real difference to the festival as ambassadors become an integral part of the event while infusing a distinct spirit to the festival. The true heart of the festival lies with the artists and this year 360 of them travelled from far and wide to put on shows for enthusiastic audiences.
This year’s “Coup de Coeur” prize which is sponsored by the TV show Belle et Bum was awarded to
Paupière who will get to perform on their TV show on Télé-Québec.
With the 15
th edition of the festival on the horizon, plans are already in place to find new ways to grow the festival for audiences and partners without losing the unique spirit of what makes it so special. The 15
th edition will take place from August 31 to September 3, 2017.
