2024-01-23 00:30:00
In the 2024 programming of Quebec concert halls, 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 reformed, rather the popularity of tribute artists continues to increase.
At the Théâtre Capitole de Québec alone, no less than 17 shows that can be classified in the tribute category are on show during the first six months of 2024.
In the capital, as in Montreal, Trois-Rivières, Gatineau and Sherbrooke, nostalgic people are spoiled for choice. The newspaper has identified in various programming tributes to the following musical personalities: 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 are even expecting the Styx tribute group, The Grand Illusion, on March 22, and the real Styx, two months later, on May 22.
Put your money on safe bets
According to the senior director of Musicor’s Management and Entertainment division, Sébastien Côté, 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 are turning to safe values.
“People take comfort in what they know,” he says.
Money also comes into the equation, adds Dave Fowler, guitarist with The Australian Pink Floyd Show. “You don’t want to invest $80 or $100 a ticket and not be sure you’re going to have a good night,” he says, to explain the success of a group like his.
The Australian 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], he comes twice every year, and it’s always sold out. The Musical Box [hommage à Genesis]they came extra in January, following two or three practically full evenings in 2023.”
“After the pandemic, I was afraid that people would desert the theaters and that we would lose part of the population who came to see the shows. This was perhaps the case for a small part of the older ones, who are afraid to go out, but as a general rule, we have nice full rooms,” indicates Martin Levac, who notes an occupancy rate of 85 to 90%.
For years, Martin Levac has been attracting crowds with his shows which cover the great hits of Phil Collins and Genesis. Photo of Véronique Pelletier provided by Martin Levac
Quebec tributes
By consulting the list of tribute shows in the schedules, we notice 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, musicians would be crazy not to do without them. The tribute to U2 that we received in February, it’s crazy how good the musicians are and the singer looks like Bono.”
Tribute artists from here are even global references, like the Boogie Wonder Band, who recreate the disco era of the 1970s. “We have admirers from all over the world, they travel to see the show, it leaves the States “United to come to Montreal and conversely, Quebecers follow us abroad,” notes with happiness the bassist of the group, Boogie Cindy.
The Boogie Wonder Band in concert on a cruise ship. Photo provided by the Boogie Wonder Band
What’s the secret to a good tribute show? Being an extreme perfectionist, answers Martin Levac.
“You’re never done, it’s never good enough, you always have to improve it,” confides this Quebecer who has been attracting crowds since 2002, first with the group The Musical Box then, solo, with its tributes to Genesis and Phil Collins.
“In all sound tests, we improve things. We’re constantly refining things. We are a much better group today than we were 15 years ago.”
Martin Levac, anyone who has seen him will tell you, was born to pay homage to Phil Collins. In addition to his musical talent which allows him to play the British star’s great hits to perfection, the physical resemblance is striking.
Demand is unlikely to decrease now that the real Phil can no longer give concerts due to his fragile state of health.
“People have flat out told me: ‘It’s officially yours since I can’t go see it anymore.’ In addition, fans were disappointed with the last tours of Phil Collins and Genesis. He wasn’t at the top of his game. They then come to our shows and tell us that I remind them of the Phil Collins of twenty years ago, the one they want to remember,” confides Martin Levac.
Over the years, the Quebecer was able to meet his idol four times. His fondest memory? A day spent with him in Geneva, in 2005, during a Musical Box show.
“He watched the show, he 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, they only thought they would do one show.
Twenty-eight years later, the Quebec troupe, which pays homage to a musical style and an era rather than to a particular artist, has now sung the classics of Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor and Earth Wind & Fire more 3000 times and not only in Quebec. They are in demand all over the world.
“It was never regarding creating a career. We’re still a little surprised,” laughs bassist Boogie Cindy.
“We went to India, China, Japan, the Caribbean, South America. We play all over the United States, both in casinos and in big festivals. For several years, we have presented our show with symphony orchestras,” says the musician.
The cruise has fun with the sound of disco
The Boogie Wonder Band has even become a staple of 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 leaves for Miami, it’s us who play on deck,” says Boogie Cindy, who was also able 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. Playing with these legends, for us, is incredible.”
Nothing angers Dave Fowler, guitarist with The Australian Pink Floyd Show (TAPFS), more than hearing people argue that tribute bands make money off the backs of the real creators of the music they revive. following evening.
The British musician, visibly angry that some consider his group a scam (free translation of scam), brought the subject up himself during a conversation with The newspaper.
Apparently, a certain amount of snobbery still manifests itself, often anonymously, towards tribute artists, according to Dave Fowler, who sets the record straight.
‘Wait a minute, we’re screeching [autre traduction libre d’un mot de quatre lettres débutant par un F] legitimate. We put on a show, we don’t force anyone to come see us and when people buy a ticket, they get what they paid for. I just don’t understand where all these negative comments come from.”
Here for a long time
Dave Fowler joined TAPFS, one of the most prominent Pink Floyd tribute bands on the planet along with Brit Floyd, in 2010.
Since then, the show’s popularity has never waned, so much so that contemplating the eventual end of TAPFS seems like heresy.
“This idea that in 20 years people will no longer be interested in Pink Floyd’s music, I don’t believe it. 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 performed on average around a hundred concerts per year. Next year it will be 133.”
Tribute shows on tour in Quebec
- The Musical 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 tribute (The Beatles)
- Tribute 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)
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