Shows not to be missed at LASSO

; DAY

New in the wake of the summer festivals, LASSO kicks off Friday at Parc Jean-Drapeau with a joint program of some thirty artists. The festival intends to take us out of the usual stereotypes and clichés to introduce us to the rich palette of neo-country, which draws more from pop than from western. Here are some artists not to miss.

OLD DOMINION

Old Dominion

Undoubtedly the flagship group of the program which will be performing for the first time in Montreal. “It’s contemporary country with a rock undertone. The members have a great chemistry, they don't take themselves seriously,” says Patrick Guay, Programmer at evenko. The group formed in Nashville will rock the stage and intends to offer an energetic and festive show.

► SSaturday, 8:10 p.m., Coors Prairie Scene
 

LUKE BRYAN

Luke Bryan

American country megastar Luke Bryan is sure to draw a big crowd eager to party at the closing concert. The old, another headliner, Dierks Bentley will rock the same stage.

► Saturday, 21 h 20, Lasso Bell Stage

MATT LANG

Matt Lang

Very popular this summer, playing all over the province, the new-country artist is not to be missed. “He's a real beast of the stage, he loves to perform and is very charismatic”, Audray Johnson, Programming Coordinator at evenko.

► Saturday, 3:45 p.m., Lasso Bel Stagel

BLANCO BROWN

Blanco Brown

Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Blanco Brown really stands out and represents in a way the meeting between hip-hop and country. “It's really a whole different flavor, it's completely eclectic. He defines himself as a “mixture of Johnny Cash and the group OutKast”, launches Patrick Guay. He is sure to get the crowd dancing with his hit The Git Up.

► Friday, 4:20 p.m., Coors Prairie Stage

BRITTANY KENNEL

Brittany Kennell

Brittany Kennel is the only female artist from Quebec to have offered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where she resided for several years. She has just opened for Shania Twain at the popular Boots and Hearts festival in Ontario.

► Friday, 2 p.m., Meadow Scene Coors

A new generation of country musicians in Quebec

Sarah Dufour

Beyond the big names, a good place has been made for the local scene. Like Matt Lang and Brittany Kennel, other artists not to be missed: Sarah Dufour, with her country-folk with bluegrass accents (August 12, 16 h 15, stage at the Coca-Cola ranch); Alex Burger (August 13, 2:45 p.m., Coca-Cola Ranch Stage); Léa Jarry (August 13, 3:25 p.m., scene at the Coca-Cola ranch).