They are three of the most relevant voices of their generation. Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose and Lou-Adriane Cassidy, who have all released excellent albums in recent years, join their voices for a unique concert that they will perform tonight as a trio at Francos… with their seven musicians. “You have to create an unforgettable moment. We want to remember this show,” says Ariane Roy.
During the launch of Lou-Adriane Cassidy’s latest album at Escogriffe in November, Francos programmer Laurent Saulnier came up with the idea for this three-piece concept show.
“Thierry (Larose) was the new member of my band and played the guitar on my left,” says Lou-Adriane. And Ariane, I invited her to play acoustic guitar with me and do backing vocals. She was on my right. We were the three up front and he (Laurent) liked our energy.
So instead of taking part in the Francos with their solo shows, Ariane, Thierry and Lou-Adriane offered to form a common front and play together on the symphonic stage.
At the time of our virtual interview with the three songwriters, they were putting the finishing touches on this performance they wanted to experience with all their musicians. So tonight at ten o’clock they’re going to get on the Francos’ stage.
Mythical show
By the way, how did the idea for the name of the show Le roy, la rose et le lou(p) come about?
“It’s my blonde Marianne who got it,” said Thierry. I think she heard the three of us talking on Zoom and she thought about it. It is a tribute to the wolf, the fox, the lion.
J’ai vu le loup, le cerf, le lion, a show that captured the imagination of Quebecers, starring Félix Leclerc, Gilles Vigneault and Robert Charlebois. The trio shared the stage on the Plains of Abraham during the 1974 Superfrancofête.
Of course, Ariane, Thierry and Lou-Adriane don’t have the same careers as the three legends mentioned above. But is there some pressure to wink at this legendary spectacle?
“There’s pressure, but at the same time we want to have fun with it,” said Lou-Adriane. It would be presumptuous to say that Quebec’s expectations weigh on our shoulders (laughs). But we can say that we are inspired by that kind of cultural flare in the 1970s and that magic of collaborative shows.
Ariane wants to do everything to make this unique concert something special.
“Ideally, we should remember this show. […] It would be funny if we were still talking about this in ten years.
Alongside Lou-Adriane, who took part in the Francos’ discovery stage a few years ago, Thierry and Ariane will witness their official baptism of the festival.
“I’ve dreamed of this for a long time,” said Thierry. I like doing this with people I love, admire and trust.”
Not very familiar with the festival – she’s from Quebec City – Ariane mentions that she finds the experience exciting and a bit stressful “because I’m not that familiar with it”.
Three busy summers
After the Francos, the three songwriters will each have a very busy summer. After receiving excellent reviews for her second album, Lou-Adriane Cassidy tells you: Good evening, Lou-Adriane will have her “dream summer” this year.
“I’m very happy. I do a lot of festivals, I do my show in a lot of exciting contexts. I’m really excited and looking forward to the summer ahead.”
Ariane Roy will also have shows this summer presenting her Medium Pleasure album. In particular, she will do a show at the Francofolies de La Rochelle.
“It will be the first time that I do my show alone in France,” she said. I will also come back in autumn. Lets see what happens.”
Finally, this summer Thierry Larose will also play compositions from his album Cantalou. Among other things, he will go to Saint-Malo for a show. He also signed a contract to write a novel with Les éditions de la maison en feu. And he also has to finish his second album for the month of November.
“Because of vinyl production, we have to deliver quickly,” he said. At the moment I have the problem that I have written too many songs and I have to cut them. I have to choose the right ones!”
♦ The free outdoor show The King, the Rose and the Lou(p)with Ariane Roy, Thierry Larose and Lou-Adriane Cassidy, takes place tonight at 8 p.m. on the Loto-Québec stage as part of the Francos. francosmontreal.com.