“According to the legend, as it was told to me, a group of rather crazy young people decided in 1983 to organize a small annual event for locals and their children who were visiting their parents on vacation. Four decades later and after having played a big part in the success of several big names on the Quebec music scene, the festival continues to grow and continues to change the character of this small village of less than 200 inhabitants more and more over time. All this despite a pandemic and two fires that destroyed significant parts of the festival site. Unlike an Osheaga or a Jazzfest, barriers (both physical and social) are few here. When an artist finishes their show, they leaves the stage to come and sit directly in the room, have a beer offered by a spectator or discuss with the village mechanic the best options for a van that is falling apart. This promiscuity induced by the human size of the village contributes greatly to the spirit and influence of the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée.”

Urbania