A Music Lover's Guide to this Year’s Francos de Montréal

In a couple of days, Montreal’s summer festival season kicks off, and not a moment too soon! Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the winter and spring-time festivals for keeping our beautiful city alive as we all hibernate, but nothing compares to sunny days spent singing songs outside with complete strangers, all bound together by our love for music. In Montreal, our festival season starts with the Francos de Montréal, an eight day festival putting the spotlight on Francophone music. Personally, this is my favourite music festival our city offers. There is so much local talent and every genre is included, making sure that everyone gets to leave having found a new band to add to their Bandcamp wishlist. This year marks the 37th edition of the festival and the lineup is insane. Here is a list of 10 shows that I think everyone should go see, most of these are free but a couple are not so make sure you go to the Francos’ website to get your tickets if needed! 

Robert Robert (June 12, 10:30PM @ Pub-Brasseur De Montréal)

Helping me discover new local talent is one of the things Francos does best. This year that came in the form of Robert Robert. His 2025 album BOOST is full of energy and hope, with beats perfect for dancing and lyrics that tell listeners to just enjoy life, it is the perfect summer soundtrack to play at Montreal’s first summer music festival. Catch him on the opening night of Francos to dance and take life by the steering wheel. 

Favourite Track: "KIA RIO"

FFO: Preston Pablo, One Direction

Ariane Roy (June 13, 9pm @ Rogers Stage)

As her fans describe it, this is Hot Québécoise Music at its finest. Ariane Roy’s blend of indie pop and soul is made for singing your heart out and dancing. From winning the Prix Félix-Leclerc back in 2023 -- an award given to artists every year for originality, stage performances, and potential across international audiences -- to launching her album Dogue, and coming out to support Lou Adriane Cassidy during her Rogers Stage performance at last year’s festival, Ariane Roy is no stranger to the Francos. In fact, the Francos are made for artists like her, those who are talented and those who appreciate the very core of French music. Her connections and adoration for all the other incredible, young Québécois musicians that we love is something to admire. Ariane on that big stage is not something you want to miss. 

Favourite Tracks: "Si je rampe", "Âmes Sœurs"

FFO: Feist, Marilyne Léonard, Museums

BAIE (June 18, 7PM @ Spotify Stage)

This Acadien pop band is sure to make people move their feet. Hailing from Petit Rocher, New Brunswick, BAIE is a 4-piece made up of sunshine filled harmonies and shimmering instrumentals. Their brand new album La tête a ses raisons, released on Du Prince Records on June 5th, is a mix of up-beat disco songs and heartfelt ballads. With sweeping synthesizers, guitar and keyboard riffs reminiscent of the Rolling Stones, and sweet vocals, Chloé Breault, Matt Boudreau, Marc-André Boudreau and Maxence Cormier are sure to make you feel good at that Spotify Stage. 

Favourite Track: "C’est l’amour"

FFO: Les Hay Babies, Fleetwood Mac

Choses Sauvages (June 18, 8PM @ Loto-Québec Stage and 11:59PM @ Vino Disco) 

To anyone paying attention over the past decade or so, this band needs no introduction! Choses Sauvages seems to have taken Quebec and Europe by force with their disco punk magic. Having witnessed their album launch party for Choses Sauvages III back in April of 2025 at Club Soda, I understood that their stardom is undeniable. It takes a special gift to make an entire dancefloor move as if it was one entity, however this is a gift that Félix Bélisle, Marc-Antoine Barbier, Thierry Malépart, Tommy Bélisle, Philippe Gauthier-Boudreau, and Charles Primeau have mastered. Formed in Saint-Eustache back in 2013, this band has grown and developed a sound that is impossible to ignore. Whether you go see them outside on the grassy lawn of the Loto-Québec Stage or for free later that night at Vino Disco, make sure you are wearing comfy shoes so you can jump around and dance along to this electrifying band. Seriously, if you have not had the chance to see them due to their shows always being sold out, take advantage of this free show and let your mind get blown. 

Favourite Tracks: "Apophis", "Chambre d’écho"

FFO: Daft Punk, Tame Impala, Delta 5

Marilyne Léonard (June 19, 6PM @ Loto-Québec Stage)

Marilyne Leonard was introduced to me back in 2022 when she performed on the Rogers Stage at the Francos. Wearing a pink denim jumpsuit and covering Britney Spears, I immediately knew she was uber cool and I am so glad to see her name on the bill for this year. Since her 2022 album Vie d’ange we have been given 3 singles, each with the same groovy energy and lyrics that are at once incredibly authentic and cleverly funny. Her mix of indie and hip hop is pure fun, with songs like “Mirage” that are perfect for sing-alongs. Wear your favourite denim vest and bring your friends to sing along to her set. 

Favourite Tracks: "Mirage", "Quand tu parles" 

FFO: Ravyn Lenae, Lola Young, Paramore

Marie Céleste (June 19, 7PM @ Rogers Stage)

Tout ce qui brille is Marie Céleste’s debut album, released on Bravo Musique back in March. What starts off as a fast-paced whirlwind slows down with the beautiful, reminiscing “2 goélands”. Tout ce qui brille is an album that melds all sorts of genres together, with hopecore lyrics and fun call backs. It makes total sense why this band is nominated for the Prix Félix-Leclerc. Their song-writing and ability to perform a concoction of genres makes them an easy choice to go see on stage. Simon Duchesne, Philippe Plourde, Olivier Tremblay, Zachary Tremblay and Guillaume Sliger may have started this band in Alma, Quebec but they truly embody the beautiful complexity of Montreal musical landscape. 

Favourite Track: "Ciao bye bonsoir!"

FFO: Elton John, Harry Styles

Héron (June 19, 7PM @ Cinquième Salle, Place des Arts)

Mixing traditional Quebec folk music and neo-soul, Verger by Héron is a love letter to Quebec in album form. Released in April on Big in the Garden, the Verger album launch here in Montreal is sure to be a beautiful night at Place des Arts. Heron’s poetic lyrics, rhythmic spoons, flutes and scatting solos will fill la Cinquième Salle with pure and sweet Québécois sounds, blessing everything with his sugary voice. Make sure to catch this tour as it passes through town and maybe go check him out at the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ) in July. 

Favourite Track: "Bonaventure"

FFO: Harmonium, Yves Jarvis 

Vanille (June 20, 6PM @ Loto-Québec Stage)

Fans of my radio show know that Vanille is played all the time because her enchanting, high-pitched voice is perfect to ease everyone into an early Sunday morning. Her latest album Un chant d’amour is full of that same sweet, haunting voice and retro sounds that her fans have grown to love. Released in October of 2025 on Bonbonbon Records, her songs are perfect for holidays spent with your bae and slow dances by the fire. With a voice made for lullabies and love songs, people who don’t even speak French can appreciate her voice as an alluring instrument in the song. While entrancing love songs are her forte, her 2021 debut album Soleil ‘96 proved just how wide this Prix Félix-Leclerc finalist’s range is. I cannot wait to sway and dance along to her timeless voice. 

Favourite Tracks: "Carte du ciel", "Lune d’argent"

FFO: Joni Mitchell, pomme, Laufey

Aupinard (June 20, 7PM @ Rogers Stage) 

This French artist has taken Paris by storm with his debut album spleen. social club. Released in late April 2026, it’s a mix of Bossa Nova and R&B, with poetry rapped over infectious beats. Aupinard already sold out 2 shows on April 2nd and 3rd at the legendary Salle Pleyel where iconic musicians like Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson and newer favourites like Mac Demarco and Zara Larsson have played. The fact that this new star is playing for free here in Montreal is something we should not take for granted. Listen to his album and come on out to see this cool breakthrough artist, you won’t regret it.

Favourite Tracks: "ciel azur", "ton ombre ne revient pas"

FFO: Bad Bunny, Stromae 

Malaimé Soleil (June 20, 8PM @ Club Soda)

Club Soda will be lit up on June 20th for Malaimé Soleil’s Montreal album launch. This Québec, QC band released their second album Fragile in March and it’s a great addition to the rock scene that’s been brewing in this province. There’s a little bit for everyone on this joyful 8-track record with fast paced drums, jangly guitar and a bass that gets everyone moving. Francis Leclerc, Vincent Deit, Antoine St-Onge, Alexandre Crépeau make a pretty fun group and the crowd is sure to be full of energy. Check them out and get ready to sing along to their catchy choruses. They’ll be joined by the effervescent synth-pop duo Fleur De Peau also from Québec City. 

Favourite Track: "L'amour en sang"

FFO: Lumiere, The Smiths

Gigi Brown is the host of The Gigi Brown Experience on Sundays from 8-9am.