At the dawn of its 20th anniversary, the Festival des Guitares du Monde team promises yet another colourful edition! With the unveiling of its new image and 2024 line-up, festival-goers should prepare for an edition full of innovation, special projects, and nostalgia!

New colours for the Festival

First, the FGMAT team is proud to have worked with Andrée-Ann Dyell for a fourth year, a talented artist who knows the Festival by heart, working with the team since 2011 as a graphic designer at LEBLEU. This year, for the 20th anniversary, her role has become artistic director, the guardian of the FGMAT’s image. It’s as an artist that she offers us the poster for the 2024 edition.

“The concept of this year’s poster is a tribute to the festival-goers for all their support over the last 20 years. Highlighting the festival experience, the work reflects a festive and immersive ambiance.” says Andrée-Ann Dyell. 

The trailer was also updated, with Étienne Lessard, music designer and composer, as well as Jean-François Lévesque, animated filmmaker, having made it. Listen to the trailer of the 20th anniversary ICI !

A program worthy of the 20th anniversary

Once again this year, in addition to our exterior zone Agnico Eagle, there will be four venues : the scène Desjardins at the Centre de Congrès ; the scène Hydro-Québec at the Agora des Arts ; the Scène Moreau at the Petit Théâtre du Vieux-Noranda, as well as the salle Le QG.

The opening act will feature RICHARD SÉGUIN and his guests. He’s a key figure of Quebec’s cultural scene who’s producing a signature show specially for the 20th anniversary of the Festival. The FGMAT is also proud to announce the passage of La Famille Denuy on our stage. It’s the musical project of Claude Meunier who has always wished to form a western band. Now that is taken care of, he will be accompanied by very talented musicians and they will have the chance to debut the songs from their upcoming album which will be released in May. We’ll also find here FRAIS DISPO, the francophone musical project of the alt-country band Foreign Diplomats. The Quebec tour will finish with LITTLE MISTY, who will present their sounds that are a mix of indie-folk and indie-rock at the Agora des Arts.

Brazil will be in the spotlight with the show of YAMANDU COSTA, virtuoso 7-string guitarist who offers a diverse repertoire going from bossa-nova to tango to samba. The Brazilian LARI BASILO, a guitarist, composer, and producer who is described as one of the most exciting names in instrumental rock, offering a performance ranging from pop to rock.

To highlight the nostalgic side of the 20th anniversary, a few artists who have come in the past 19 years will be back on stage. First, for fans of latin music, PAVLO will transport us directly to Greece with a new concert which will excite us with the sounds of mediterranean guitar. The Haitian artist WESLI offers a captivating performance of world music rhythms. Popular Australian artists KIM CHURCHILL, the virtuoso combining complex picking techniques, as well as the duo OPAL OCEAN captivating audiences with a unique blend of acoustic sounds and fascinating guitar techniques from a wide range of genres will also be present.

On the innovation side, it’s important to note the passage of CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM, who will perform the closing evening of the Festival. He is known as the defining blues voice of his generation! The young Polish virtuoso MARCIN, whose performances have had hundreds of millions of views, offers a spectacular performance combining percussive guitar playing with modern production. The festivities will continue with MURIEL ANDERSON, a guitarist-harpist who knows how to inspire you with her contagious joy. AYSANABEE will also be a discovery to not miss at the Festival, with her solemn voice and her touching folk style.

Here are the artists of the program.

To complete our program, two evenings of exterior shows at 9 pm will be offered. The first will be with LES SHIRLEY, female power trio connecting 90’s grunge, 2000’s punk rock culture, and lively pop melodies. The first part of this show will be performed by WALTER DRUCE, who will immerse us in a universe of blues rock with unique sounds. The second evening will be done by the captivating GAB PAQUET who knows how to knock your socks off with his humouristic style inspired by French variety songs and his infectious energy.

The noon and 5 pm shows will also take place at the Agnico Eagle outdoor area, with details to be announced.

“Agnico Eagle is happy to partner with the Festival des Guitares du Monde as the official presenter for the next three years. We are honoured to have been a partner of the event since their first edition. There can be no better expression of our commitment to working with local people to contribute to the dynamism and vitality of our host and neighbouring communities.” affirmed Daniel Paré, vice-president of Québec d’Agnico Eagle.

In order to diversify the activities of the Festival, a collaboration was developed with Productions Ça Bûche in order to make a metal evening. BLINDED BY FAITH and BLACKGUARD will stop by Rouyn-Noranda as part of a special “return” tour. BACKSTABBER have just released a new album and BORN DIVIDED will be the opening act.

The LUTHIER ROOM Horne Smelter will also be returning for a second year in a row. It will take place during three days, May 25th to May 27th, from 11 am to 5 pm. Everyone is invited to go and discover the basics of lutherie!

Revised box office

As for our box office, certain additions will be done for the 20th anniversary, in order to make it more inclusive. Notably, the festival-goers will have access to a UNITED BOX OFFICE, being tickets at reduced prices for students, someone with a limited budget, or simply anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with a new art. The Hydro-Quebec united tickets are at 50% of the regular price. Next, thanks to Neighbours, DISCOVERY TICKETS will be offered for free to companies who have employees from outside the region. The objective is to encourage their retention to Rouyn-Noranda by inviting them to discover the lively and cultural side of the city. Finally, the new SMALL PASSPORT will be put on sale, which includes the three shows offered at the Petit Théâtre during the Festival. The Small Passport has the benefit of a discount compared to buying tickets for these three shows individually.

The Festival’s box office will be open from March 20th at 7 pm for all shows and for the Small Passport at www.fgmat.com. More announcements are predicted for this 20th edition, follow us on social media so you don’t miss anything!