Over the years, Le Pigeonnier has been the site of many memorable musical gatherings, and the 2003 reunion between Les Rita Mitsouko and Quebec City audiences certainly tops the list.
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Set in what is now the Parc de la Francophonie, Catherine Ringer and Fred Chichin were at their best in this first concert at the Festival d’été in nine years (we also saw them in 1994).
Unfortunately, it was also the last time we saw Fred Chichin during his lifetime. He died of a devastating cancer in 2007.
On this evening, however, everyone (the site was full) was passionately interested in partying, especially since Les Rita had not skimped on the monuments of their repertoire: Andy, Y’a d’hate, Marcia Baila, the program was hearty.
“It was always extraordinary, Les Rita Mitsouko,” recalls the then program director of the Festival d’été, Jean Beauchesne.
It was also around this time that more and more French artists flocked to the FEQ’s stages, attracting audiences. “It was an audience that grew up with Indochine and Les Rita. So it was a win from the start,” emphasizes Mr Beauchesne.