In the program of Quebec concert halls for 2024 we read the names Beatles, ABBA, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Leonard Cohen, Genesis, Joe Dassin, Supertramp and Led Zeppelin. No, no one has been resurrected and no legendary extinct groups have re-formed; in fact, the popularity of tribute artists continues to grow.
The Théâtre Capitole de Québec alone will host no fewer than 17 performances in the first six months of 2024 that can be classified in the “tribute” category.
In the capital, as well as in Montreal, Trois-Rivières, Gatineau and Sherbrooke, nostalgics are spoiled for choice. The Journal has identified tributes to the following musical personalities in various programs: Iron Maiden, U2, Simon and Garfunkel, Bee Gees, CCR, Everly Brothers, Jacques Brel, Metallica, Queen, Tom Jones, Charles Aznavour, Nicole Martin, Bon Jovi and Slipknot .
At the Cogeco amphitheater in Trois-Rivières we even expect the Styx tribute group The Grand Illusion on March 22nd and the real Styx two months later on May 22nd.
Put your money in safe investments
According to Sébastien Côté, senior director of Musicor's management and entertainment department, the clientele's need to relive the '70s, '80s and '90s is not new, but he notes that it has grown since the pandemic, because buyers turn to safe values.
“People take comfort in what they know,” he says.
Money also plays a role, adds Dave Fowler, guitarist for the Australian Pink Floyd Show. “You don’t want to invest $80 or $100 per ticket and not be sure if you’re having a good night,” he says, explaining the success of a group like his.
Australia's Pink Floyd, here at the Videotron Center in October 2022, regularly visits Quebec. Archive photo, QMI Agency
Full rooms
At the Théâtre Capitole, general director Dominique Thomas reports that the tribute shows always sell “super well”.
“Martin Levac [qui revisite le répertoire de Phil Collins]It comes twice a year and it's always sold out. The music box [hommage à Genesis]they came especially in January, after two or three practically full evenings in 2023.”
“After the pandemic, I was afraid that people would leave the theaters and we would lose part of the population who saw the performances. That may have been the case with a small number of older people who are afraid to go out, but as a rule we have nice full rooms,” says Martin Levac, who reports an occupancy rate of 85 to 90%.
For years, Martin Levac has been captivating audiences with his shows, which include the big hits of Phil Collins and Genesis. Photo by Véronique Pelletier, provided by Martin Levac
Tributes to Quebec
If we look through the list of tribute shows in the program, we see that most of them are created and presented by Quebec artists.
“We have great musicians here,” notes Dominique Thomas, “and the audience is there. Since people travel to see tribute shows, it would be crazy if musicians didn't do it. The U2 tribute we received in February is crazy how good the musicians are and the singer looks like Bono.”
Tribute artists from here are even global references, such as the Boogie Wonder Band, which revives the disco era of the 1970s. “We have admirers from all over the world, they travel to see the show, they leave the United States to come to Montreal and vice versa, the Quebecers follow us abroad,” says the group's bassist, Boogie Cindy.
The Boogie Wonder Band in concert on a cruise ship. Photo provided by Boogie Wonder Band
What is the secret to a good tribute show? “Being an extreme perfectionist,” answers Martin Levac.
“You're never finished, it's never good enough, you always have to improve it,” admits this Quebecer who has been drawing crowds since 2002, first with the group The Musical Box, then solo with their tributes to Genesis and Phil Collins.
“In all sound tests, we improve things. We are constantly developing things further. We are a much better group today than we were 15 years ago.”
Anyone who has seen it will tell you that Martin Levac was born as a tribute to Phil Collins. In addition to his musical talent, which allows him to perfectly play the British star's big hits, the physical resemblance is also uncanny.
Since the real Phil can no longer give concerts due to his fragile health, demand is unlikely to decrease.
“People have told me straight up, 'It's officially yours since I can't see it anymore.' Fans were also disappointed by Phil Collins and Genesis' recent tours. He wasn't at his best. Then they come to our shows and tell us that I remind them of the Phil Collins from twenty years ago that they want to remember,” admits Martin Levac.
Over the years, the Quebecer was able to meet his idol four times. His fondest memory? A day with him in Geneva in 2005 during a musical boxing show.
“He watched the show and played the encore on my drums. It was a dream day. We chatted and played music together.”
When the members of the Boogie Wonder Band came together in 1996 for the simple pleasure of sharing their passion for disco music, all they thought they would do was put on a show.
Twenty-eight years later, the Quebec troupe, which pays homage to a musical style and era rather than a specific artist, has sung the classics by Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor and Earth Wind & Fire more than 3,000 times, and not just in Quebec. They are in demand all over the world.
“It was never about making a career. We’re still a little surprised,” laughs bassist Boogie Cindy.
“We traveled to India, China, Japan, the Caribbean and South America. We play all over the United States, both in casinos and at major festivals. “We have been presenting our show with symphony orchestras for several years,” says the musician.
The cruise offers fun with disco sound
The Boogie Wonder Band has even become a staple on the ultimate disco cruise. On a charter boat, more than 2,000 disco fans attend performances by stars of the 1970s for a week.
The Quebecers are the only tribute artist on board.
“We have become the mainstay of cruising. When the boat goes to Miami, we are the ones playing on deck,” says Boogie Cindy, who also got to meet idols.
“We have already accompanied The Trammps, Gloria Gaynor. We shared the stage in Europe with Kool and The Gang. Some are friends. It’s incredible for us to play with these legends.”
Nothing annoys Australian Pink Floyd Show (TAPFS) guitarist Dave Fowler more than hearing people argue that tribute bands make their money from the true creators of the music they resurrect after the night.
The British musician was visibly upset that some consider his group a fraud and raised the issue himself in a conversation with Le Journal.
According to Dave Fowler, who sets the record straight, there still appears to be a certain level of snobbery towards tribute artists, often anonymously.
“Wait a minute, we’re screaming.” [autre traduction libre d’un mot de quatre lettres débutant par un F] legit. We put on a show, we don't force anyone to come to us, and when people buy a ticket they get what they paid for. I just don’t understand where all these negative comments are coming from.”
Here for a long time already
Dave Fowler joined TAPFS in 2010, one of the most famous Pink Floyd tribute bands in the world alongside Brit Floyd.
Since then, the series' popularity has never waned, so much so that the thought of a possible end to TAPFS seems like heresy.
“I don’t believe this idea that people will no longer be interested in Pink Floyd’s music in 20 years. Roger Waters still plays to sold out arenas and stadiums. David Gilmour still plays to sold-out audiences in many places. […] Our ticket sales are increasing. When I joined the group, we averaged about a hundred concerts a year. Next year there will be 133.”
Tribute shows on tour in Quebec
- The Music Box (Genesis)
- Tramp of the Century (Supertramp)
- Abbamania (ABBA)
- The Australian Bee Gees (Bee Gees)
- Martin Levac (Phil Collins and Genesis) – Quebec artist
- The Australian Pink Floyd Show (Pink Floyd)
- The Beatles – symphonic homage (The Beatles)
- Homage to Symphonic Metallica (Metallica)
- Queen Symphonic (Queen)
- Brit Floyd (Pink Floyd)
- The Essence of Cohen (Leonard Cohen)
- Remember Joe (Joe Dassin)
- The Simon & Garfunkel Story (Simon & Garfunkel)