Like it or not, Émile Bilodeau will be hosting the big National Day show in the Plains of Abraham on June 23, promising a celebration of the Quebec he dreams of, with whites, aboriginals and blacks all singing in harmony.
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A modern Quebec that doesn’t want to lower its flag? That’s what Émile Bilodeau’s generation wants, claims the independent singer-songwriter, who also bears the label of a committed artist who openly advocates Québec Solidaire.
“We mustn’t be afraid to make room for people we see less of,” stresses the 26-year-old young man in an interview with Le Journal.
The presence of Quebec rap pioneers like Muzion and First Nations artists like Kanen and Maten on his show alongside Laurence Jalbert, Louis-Jean Cormier and Patrick Norman testifies to his vision of a modern, inclusive and diverse Quebec.
“For me, the Saint-Jean are different from one to the other, but there are clichés and there, now, my generation, we are trying to shed light on a more modern Quebec.”
“I think it’s powerful to have Muzion singing ‘Verse’ about La Prison de Bordeaux,” enthuses Emile Bilodeau. It represents my vision of modern Quebec. If we are to seek a better destiny, and if we are to take charge of ourselves, we must consider these communities that want to take their place. That’s why I think my show is a modern day Saint-Jean.
Photo QMI Agency, Joël Lemay
A presence that separates
The decision of the National Movement of Quebecers (MNQ) to appoint Émile Bilodeau to lead the evening did not please everyone.
On the game? His fierce opposition to Law 21, which he expressed clearly in the great spectacle of the National Day in 2020 and which earned him a rebuff from Prime Minister François Legault in 2021.
The Mouvement laïque québécois even wrote to the MNQ ten days ago to express its opposition, considering that the singer was not unifying enough.
Émile Bilodeau assures that these angry reactions did not surprise him.
“People have feelings related to laws and social issues. It’s normal for things to get out of hand sometimes. I keep doing what I love with the people I love. I think it’s cool because I feel supported. “The people who agreed to do this show know they’re not dealing with an idiot,” he says with a smile.
He himself admits he has already gone too far when he accused the leader of the Parti Québécois, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, of being a whiner after the 2022 election.
“I shouldn’t have done that, Estie. I feel guilty. I wouldn’t start doing what people do to me, call me names. I was happy because they booked me a nice interview with TVA, I was able to apologize. Well, I regret that. Calling people names when I was suffering and I know it’s not fun, it was counterproductive. So it wasn’t high the political debate.
accept disagreements
Even if significantly fewer artists take a stance on socio-political issues than in the 1970s, Émile Bilodeau assures that he does not feel alone at the front, because in his eyes the mere fact of singing in French is “a political gesture”. .
However, he does not hide his convictions, even at the risk of being criticized, sometimes with great violence.
“I think we’re not immune to disagreements. You have to accept it,” submits the one who says he cannot remain silent.
“I can’t help it. One of my dreams when I was young was to be a politician, to have platforms and to live my society. I taught writing workshops in an elementary school in North Montreal. I’ve seen women doing the wore veils I can promise you they didn’t advertise any god.
His partner in the creation of the exhibition, Quebec artist Simon Kearney, who was present during the interview with Le Journal, describes him as “brave”.
“Sometimes, he admits, I think about doing a political message, let’s attack the Francos tonight.” [il était en concert le jour de l’entrevue]. It scares me every time. You let yourself go and it’s so natural.
“If you look closely, it’s natural. I can’t complain, I like doing it,” replies Émile Bilodeau.
- Listen to the interview with Frédéric Lapointe, President of the Mouvement national des Québécoises et Québécois, on Sophie Durocher’s show QUB radio :
The right dosage
So those who do not want him to give a talk on the plains of Abraham on June 23 will be disappointed.
His show will feature songs that shaped Quebec, but also positions.
In a recent report in Le Devoir newspaper, Émile Bilodeau vowed not to speak about Bill 21 but said he wanted to point the finger at the owner of the Horne Foundry in Rouyn-Noranda, who is making headlines for the high numbers arsenic, that it releases into the air.
“It has to be well dosed,” emphasizes Émile Bilodeau about the positions that are represented in a show like Saint-Jean’s.
For him, it is unthinkable to live in a society where the role of an artist is to sing and then shut up.
“Artists must continue to share their vision of sharing, curiosity, coexistence and social peace. Artists have a human vision of society. If we want to censor them, we just lose a beautiful point of view. It seems to me that Bob Marley, Félix Leclerc, La Bolduc, these are all people who came with messages, defending ideas. It would have been boring to ask them to close their eyes when they were at the peak of their careers.”
The big shows of the National Day
FRIDAY 23 JUNE
Quebec, Plains of Abraham
- 19 o’clock: vulgar things
- 21 clock: Émile Bilodeau, Louis-Jean Cormier, Patrick Norman, Laurence Jalbert, Muzion, Kanen, Maten, Pierre Kwenders, Simon Kearney, Marilyne Léonard and Vulgaires Machins
- Genre: Antonio Gratton
- Patriotic Speech: Leane Labreche-Dor
- TV delayed on Télé-Québec at 9:30 p.m. and rebroadcast on June 25 at 8:30 p.m.
- radio delayed at 9:30 p.m. on Rouge FM and iHeart Radio
SATURDAY 24 JUNE
Montreal, Maisonneuve Park
- 8 p.m.: FouKi, Garou, Isabelle Boulay, Jay Jay, Justin Boulet, Lydia Képinski, Marjo, Mélissa Bédard, Scott Pien-Picard, P’tit Belliveau, Souldia
- Entertainment : Pierre Yves Lord
- 10:30 p.m.: DJ PY Lord followed by Qualité Motel
- TV delayed at 8:30 p.m. on TVA and Radio-Canada Ici-Télé
- radio simultaneously on the music channels of Cogeco Media