On Saturday evening, as you wandered through the Place des Festivals, one color stood out: red. Sweaters, jackets, shoes… The Francos audience responded in large numbers to Lou-Adriane Cassidy’s dress code, welcoming her in her favourite color.
From the very first notes of “Dis-moi dis-moi dis-moi,” the opening track on her third album Journal d’un loup-garou, the Quebec-born singer makes her presence felt. Behind her gentle yet remarkably powerful voice lies a raw, electrifying energy that makes you want to jump, scream and let off steam.
Saturday’s show was a reprise of the one presented in February at the Beanfield Theatre for the launch of Journal d’un loup-garou. Surrounded by her seven musicians, Lou-Adriane performed the entirety of this album, released in January, under a huge moon suspended over the stage. Added to this repertoire were some of her most popular tracks, as well as two songs from Triste Animal, a surprise album unveiled in May: Jamais tout à fait and Adieu.
But if we had to single out one moment from the evening, everyone would agree that it was Ariane’s performance. After singing Prières quotidiennes agenouillé, Lou-Adriane invited “her cosmic sister” Ariane Roy to join her on stage for a touching duet. Arm in arm, tears in the eyes, laughter in the heart, it was impossible to remain indifferent to this moment of pride, love and sisterhood.
The emotions continued until the very end, with “Ça va ça va,” the artist’s most popular song. Overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, she even briefly forgot the lyrics. “You’re making me lose my temper, everybody!” she laughed.
In the crowd, several Quebec flags fluttered, carried high as a sign of belonging to Quebec culture, Le Roy la Rose et le Lou(p)’s hobbyhorse during the famous trio’s tour. To close the show, Lou brandished a fleurdelisé borrowed from an audience member with his name inscribed on it, before declaring with conviction “The best is yet to come!”
Dressed in a sparkling pink ensemble, Lou-Adriane shone far beyond her glitter. Her charisma, generosity and talent once again won the hearts of Quebec audiences. On Saturday night, Queen Lou reigned over the Place des Festivals.
