{"id":733584,"date":"2026-06-13T05:48:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T05:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/733584\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T05:48:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T05:48:15","slug":"francos-de-montreal-kicks-off-with-marie-mai-among-featured-performers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/733584\/","title":{"rendered":"Francos de Montr\u00e9al kicks off with Marie-Mai among featured performers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Friday marked the start of the Francos de Montr\u00e9al, as downtown came alive with crowds and music in Francophone music, including Quebec\u2019s own Marie-Mai.<\/p>\n

Presented by Rogers, the 2026 edition of the festival is being described by organizers as one of its most ambitious yet, with a strong focus on nostalgia, rap culture and international Francophone talent.<\/p>\n

Organizers say this year\u2019s programming reflects both the scale and diversity of Francophone music today.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Francos is an amazing celebration of the culture from here, the Francophone music,\u201d said festival programming director Maurin Aux\u00e9m\u00e9ry. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t think we have another festival like this one anywhere on the planet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that the festival continues to balance accessibility with artistic development.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also have a big focus on nostalgia as well,\u201d he said, noting the importance of both legacy acts and emerging performers.<\/p>\n

\"\"A Francos de Montr\u00e9al sign is seen in downtown Montreal on June 12, 2026. (CityNews)<\/p>\n

Marie-Mai opens festival with nostalgia-driven set<\/p>\n

Quebec pop star Marie-Mai took the stage for a free outdoor performance, delivering a set that blended new material with fan favourites from across her more than 20-year career.<\/p>\n

Speaking about her long relationship with the festival circuit, Marie-Mai said returning to Francos remains a milestone moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be like 24 years since I started, and I mean, it\u2019s always special,\u201d she said. \u201cYou have to perform at Francofolies every cycle if you can, if you have that privilege. It\u2019s something that is such a big part of an artist\u2019s career, so you never take it for granted. You always try to do the best that you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Singer-songwriter Marie-Mai in downtown Montreal on June 12, 2026, ahead of her performance at the Francos de Montr\u00e9al. (CityNews)<\/p>\n

She said this year\u2019s performance was intentionally shaped around nostalgia and audience expectations.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor festivals this year, I really wanted to hit that nostalgia, so I put my ego aside and just want to give the people what they want to hear,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a full set of oldies.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time, she said she still makes space for new material.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to perform like here and there, some of my newer stuff, just to make sure that I have something to take my teeth into as well. But I love to perform for the audience at the end of the day, that\u2019s what we do, we want them to enjoy the night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Singer-songwriter Marie-Mai performs at the Francos de Montr\u00e9al on June 12, 2026. (CityNews)<\/p>\n

Marie-Mai also reflected on her long evolution as an artist.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s crazy when you look back at 24 years,\u201d she said. \u201cIf I think about Marie-Mai, like 18 years old when I started, I never would have guessed that I would still be here many years later. I\u2019m proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added that her fans have played a central role in her career across multiple musical eras.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so grateful for my fans, but just the fact that they grew up with me and let me do the music that I want to do throughout the years as well,\u201d she said. \u201cThroughout my rock years, throughout my pop years, and now my country years that are starting next fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Singer-songwriter Marie-Mai performs at the Francos de Montr\u00e9al on June 12, 2026. (CityNews)<\/p>\n

She said the experience remains both grounding and emotional.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still on cloud nine,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a privilege, and something you can\u2019t take for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans say festival connects generations<\/p>\n

For many in the crowd, the performance carried a strong sense of nostalgia and personal history.<\/p>\n

One fan said the festival\u2019s accessibility is part of its appeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great, it\u2019s downtown, it\u2019s for free, so everybody can just come and enjoy,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s really very fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others described a deeper emotional connection to seeing an artist they grew up with.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really important for me because I grew up here and there are artists from every single part of my life,\u201d said one attendee. \u201cSo tonight there is Marie-Mai that I could listen to when I was younger. There will be other artists that I discovered in the last year. So I\u2019m really excited to have all moments in my life represented on this week. So I\u2019m really, really, really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"A sign promoting Marie-Mai\u2019s performance is seen in downtown Montreal on June 12, 2026, ahead of the Francos de Montr\u00e9al. (CityNews)<\/p>\n

Another concertgoer said the experience felt personal and long-awaited.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, to me personally, I\u2019ve grown up listening to her music. She\u2019s always been special, always been a big fan. So it\u2019s great to get to see her live here tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another fan added her excitement. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been a big fan, so I\u2019m glad to see her tonight,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

She also noted a personal connection to the performer, saying she even has an old photo with Marie-Mai.<\/p>\n

\"\"Singer-songwriter Marie-Mai performs at the Francos de Montr\u00e9al on June 12, 2026. (CityNews)<\/p>\n

Organizers highlight diversity and accessibility<\/p>\n

Aux\u00e9m\u00e9ry said the Francos continues to stand out globally for its focus on Francophone music.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany artists coming from Quebec, of course, many others from outside Canada,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have plenty of French artists, artists from Algeria, from Morocco, from Africa, \u00cele de la R\u00e9union, many different places.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the festival\u2019s identity is rooted in global Francophonie.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnywhere where there\u2019s Francophonie, there\u2019s music, there are songs in French, and we\u2019re very proud to present them at the festival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Francos de Montr\u00e9al festival programming director Maurin Aux\u00e9m\u00e9ry in downtown Montreal on June 12, 2026, (CityNews)<\/p>\n

Nostalgia, rap and major performances shape 2026 edition<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s programming places a strong emphasis on nostalgia, featuring established artists alongside emerging talent from across the Francophone world.<\/p>\n

Organizers said many performers continue to resonate across generations, with audiences connecting their music to personal memories and life milestones.<\/p>\n

Rap music also plays a central role in the 2026 edition, with\u00a0Koriass\u00a0and\u00a0Loud\u00a0set to lead a special Rapkeb anniversary performance marking a decade since the original event that helped define Quebec\u2019s rap scene.<\/p>\n

\"\"A Francos de Montr\u00e9al sign is seen in downtown Montreal on June 12, 2026. (CityNews)<\/p>\n

Festival continues through June 20<\/p>\n

The Francos de Montr\u00e9al continues across multiple stages downtown, with free outdoor shows, major concerts and late-night performances scheduled throughout the week.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tSinger-songwriter Marie-Mai performs at the Francos de Montr\u00e9al on June 12, 2026. (CityNews) <\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

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