London, April 5th, 2023 – Little did we realize that each spring, musical artists from the great Francophone province of Québec (Canada) descend on the UK to play for British audiences. Home to legendary artists such as Leonard Cohen, Céline Dion, Oscar Peterson, Rufus and Martha Wainwright, its largest city, Montreal, has today become a world-renowned hotbed of musical creativity that nurtured the early careers of present-day high-profile award-winning artists such as Kaytranada, Grimes, Mac DeMarco, Patrick Watson and tUnE-yArds, and rising stars such as Half Moon Run, Basia Bulat and so many others.
With a music scene only growing stronger and more diverse than ever, the next wave of international hit-makers will be amongst us under the QUEBEC SPRING banner, between April 14th to May 13th, 2023 brought to you by premium music conference M for Montreal, the Quebec Government Office in London and SODEC.
Listen to music from Gayance, Bells Larsen, Bibi Club, Choses Sauvages, Fernie, Hanorah, Ivytide, Jonathan Roy, LA ROIE, Laurence-Anne, Odreii, Vanille, and below, catch them at your local venues or at upcoming UK showcase festivals Wide Days, Liverpool Sound City, FOCUS Wales and The Great Escape.
Founded in 2006, M for Montreal is now recognized as an essential catalyst for the Quebec and Canadian music industry, both for emerging artists and artists with a career outside Quebec. The event features a series of conferences and showcases that bring together local and international music industry professionals from 15+ countries every year. It offers a rich musical program of more than one hundred artists divided in the Official Programming, and Festival Component, the M for MARATHON. Its annual gathering will be taking place this year November 15-18, 2023, in Montreal.
The M on the Road series spreads its activities over the year by programming artist showcases in various recognized events all over the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe, bringing Canadian and Quebec talent on an international journey.
The Québec Government Office in London (DGQL) was opened in 1962 to represent the Québec government in the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordic Countries.They work to promote Québec’s interests towards governments and institutions on these territories, as well as support Québec businesses and culture to thrive and develop their activities.
SODEC is mandated to support the development of Québec’s cultural businesses and ensure that national heritage buildings are protected and promoted. On an international scale, they strive to make Québec’s cultural industry stand out by highlighting the competitive-edge of their businesses and high quality, diversity, originality and accessibility of their cultural works.
Listen to the QUEBEC SPRING Spotify playlist
APRIL 14
LAROIE @The Gunners (London) – starts at 19:00
APRIL 15
M for Montreal showcase @La Belle Angèle (Edinburgh) – starts at 18:15
With:
APRIL 25
LAROIE @Bedford (London) – starts at 19:00
APRIL 28
M for Montreal showcase @SOTTO (Liverpool) – starts at 20:00
With:
MAY 1ST
Quebec Spring Bank Holiday Mixer
Presented by Quebec Creates, M for Montreal, Friends Serene and Split Milk @Shackelwell Arms (London) – starts at 18:30
With:
Gayance (DJ set)
MAY 3RD
Jonathan Roy @Oslo (London) – starts at 19:00
MAY 4TH
Quebec showcase presented by M for Montreal and the DGQL @Penny Black Room 2 (Wrexham) – starts at 20:30
With:
MAY 5TH
Fernie @Wrexham Wynnstau Hotel (Wrexham) – starts at 18:30
Vanille @Old No.7 Bar (Wrexham) – starts at 20:45
Bibi Club @The Rockin Chair (Wrexham) – starts at 20:45
MAY 6TH
Bibi Club @Wrexham Wynnstau Hotel (Wrexham) – starts at 18:40
Laurence-Anne @The Rockin Chair (Wrexham) – starts at 19:00
Vanille @The Parish (Wrexham) – starts at 20:30
Ivytide @Penny Black Room 2 (Wrexham) – starts at 21:15
MAY 9TH
Presented by Enki Music @Strongroom (London) – starts at 18:30
With:
MAY 11TH
Schoolnight Showcase @Old Blue Last (London) – starts at 19:30
With:
MAY 11TH
Canada House showcase presented by CIMA, Quebec Creates and M for Montreal @Green Door Store (Brighton) – starts at 12:15
With:
MAY 12TH
The Great Escape Festival
M for Montreal showcase @The Prince Albert (Brighton) – starts at 12:30
With:
MAY 13TH
Bibi Club @Green Door Store (Brighton) – starts at 20:30
Odreii @The Prince Albert (Brighton) – starts at 23:20
For all inquiries or guestlist requests, please contact vision@visionmusic.co.uk