Dusty’s Musty’s: FME Festival Preview 2023 – Top 10 Acts To Catch (And Then Some)

Coming to terms with the end of summer can be a difficult conversation to have with oneself as a Canadian. As the clock strikes September it means the impending cooler temperatures and the “S” word are only a few sleeps away. Fortunately, the beginning of September also signals to one of the best weekends of the summer with FME in the former mining town of Rouyn-Noranada, Quebec.

Last year’s festival (which you can read all about here) was a highlight of the summer, and after skimming through the curation for 2023, I have no doubt this year’s will be just as exciting. The town of Rouyn-Noranda turns into a multi-block radius of live music for four days, with surprises performances, headliners, and late night DJ sets, with most of the best parts of the curation coming from independent acts that have yet to breakout.

Pinning down an exceptionally curated independent music festival into just 10 acts sounds like an impossible feat – and that’s because it is. Rule #12 of the Internet: Don’t believe headlines.

So while I may have lured you in with just 10 acts, the list is in fact much longer than that (and deservingly so).

Strap in for a quick, yet thorough flip through this year’s FME line-up with my pre-festival picks and get ready to discover some of Quebec & beyond’s best underrated acts.

More information, travel details, and a full-line up, head to the FME website here.

THURSDAY AUGUST 31

Driving to Toronto to Rouyn-Noranda is about a seven hour drive (645kms or about 400 miles for you Americans). But once that’s over, the festival ignites Thursday night, with shows and more kicking off the weekend. The plan: drive up, check-in, and head out.

myst milano. (11pm – SCÈNE HYDRO-QUÉBEC)

Toronto-based DJ & multi-instrumentalist myst milano. combines their love for ’90s house and electronic music with punchy hip-hop inspired performances for a party-starting sound. With their new album Beyond the Uncanny Valley out this past weekend, myst will sure to bring the heat on the opening night.

Population II (12am – DIABLE ROND)

One of the best parts of the festival is the small venue shows. Scattered around the downtown area are a handful of spaces that are ready to throwdown to a compact and feisty crowd. Psych-rock trio Population II get to be one of the first of the weekend to take over the club venue, donating their explosive psych-jazz-punk to a good cause.

Pressure Pin (1am – DIABLE ROND)

Stay where you are. Montreal art-punk act Pressure Pin is up next. High-energy and melodic, the retro-tinged and angular instrumentation creates a colourful and brain-itching combination like an abstract art piece made in MS Paint.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1

It’s too early in the week to complain about a hangover, but at least you have the morning and afternoon to get prepared for another round of venue-hopping and crowd surfing.

Heaven For Real (5PM – QG SALLE DE SPECTACLES)

Twin brothers Mark and J. Scott Grundy are here to provide a glowing and upbeat indie guitar pop soundtrack for a perfect Friday evening. Dreamy vocal melodies and gooey synth-guitar pairings give the layered and jangling tunes their inviting edge.

Fraud Perry (6PM – LE POLONAIS COCKTAIL BAR)

Montreal rapper Fraud Perry is an underrated lyricist – and that’s an understatement. With rebellious-party energy spilling from her microphone, the producer/hip-hop artist is – as she puts it – “a vibe”. (Accurate).

ALIAS (12AM – CABARET DE LA DERNIÈRE CHANCE)

A name worthy of being mentioned alongside Portugal. The Main, The Black Keys and Jack White for his electrifying and gritty rock n’ roll joie de vivre, Montreal-based psych-rocker ALIAS is an exciting gem in this year’s lineup. Crunchy guitar effects and mind-adhesive licks melt together for a show meant for a crowded bar (bring ear plugs).

Dope.gng (1:30AM – PETIT THÉÂTRE DU VIEUX NORANDA BASEMENT)

Francophone hip-hop duo Dope.gng, composed of Zilla (Marven Jean) and Yabock (Victor Tremblay-Desrosiers), are bringing their trip-hop production and turn-taking rapping to the late night roster this weekend.

La Sécurité (1AM – DIABLE ROND)

Expertly balancing the world of artsy-fartsy and groovy as all hell, Montreal-based disco-post-punk quintet La Sécurité are providing the Friday night dance party with their infectious melodies and bilingual anthems. Slick musicianship combine with the group’s unwavering stage presence for an entertaining show.

Saturday September 2

We’ve officially hit he halfway mark of the festival. Let’s keep the music and drinks flowing!

Milk & Bone (9PM – MAIN STAGE)

Montreal electro-pop duo Milk & Bone have captivated audiences with their lush and angelic vocal harmonies and trip-hop inspired production. Goldfrapp and Purity Ring come to mind, and are sure to fill the open sky with their full-bodied sound this year’s festival.

Les Louanges (10PM – MAIN STAGE)

Franco-pop artist Les Louanges marries flashy, neo-R&B production with compelling and expressive vocals for a well-rounded and memorable sound. Having the main stage to himself is a deserving feat and will be a cherry on top for an exciting Saturday night.

Les Lunatiques (12AM – DIABLE ROND)

Garage-psych rock – a wonderful combination for fans of DIY bands and winding, guitar-fronted grooves. Touching on elements of post-punk, disco, and dance-pop with their melodic and infectious full-band sound, Les Lunatiques give their name some context with their fun and wild performances.

DVTR (1AM – DIABLE ROND)

While their online presence is limited to just two tracks thus far, noise-pop duo DVTR will be dropping plenty of surprises for their upcoming Saturday night set. Composed of Le Couleur’s Laurence Giroux- Do and Gazoline’s JC Tellier, the post-punk-infused act are an expected to light the stage ablaze.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3

Okay, now you can complain about your hangover but you can’t let it slow you down. The final night will be the only thing holding you from slipping back into the real world and the long drive back so don’t take it for granted.

Knitting – (5PM – QG SALLE DE SPECTACLES)

Montreal indie rockers Knitting came together during the pandemic but have stood the test of returning to “normal”. With a full-length out, the four friends have a grasp on the melodic potential of lo-fi, DIY tunes. Slacker-guitar riffs and angular hooks make for a hazy and laidback addition to the festival lineup.

Samwoy (11PM – CABARET DE LA DERNIÈRE CHANCE)

Montreal songwriter/producer and artistic visionary SAMWOY is bringing his ’80s-pop-meets-art-rock sound to festival this year. His colourful and genre-less style makes for an unpredictable and limitless sonic experience.

Saints Martyrs (12AM – PETIT THÉÂTRE DU VIEUX NORANDA BASEMENT)

Noise-punk trio Saints Martyrs will leave you kicking and screaming now that the festival is over. Both because its the last band of the night, but also because their music is roaring and feisty. Explosive dual vocals and grunge-tinged guitar tones outline the band’s frantic and striking demeanour.