20 years of Francos, and one love affair!

Now it can be told: this edition of Les FrancoFolies de Montréal not only demonstrated all the dynamism of 20 years of existence, but once again gave Montrealers and tourists the opportunity to revel in and express the full spectrum of their affection and love for the music of the global francophonie! Certainly, there was stormy weather, but clear skies and full hearts won the day-and the night! FrancoFans made the most of the event, flocking by the thousands upon thousands to our stages, where artists from here and abroad, playing in every style for every taste, waited to be discovered or celebrated anew. Fans danced from day's end virtually to the break of dawn, and why not: the spirit and the body work best when both are set free! From chanson to rock and hip hop, francophone music cast its spell in many forms and genres, and in one unifying language. It's taken all that talent over 20 fabulous years for the Francos to age gracefully... without growing up!

Breaking records for sales

Despite the moody weather, we were still able, for a second consecutive year, to break records for sales on-site as well as indoor tickets, where attendance was over 80%, representing over 50,000 patrons. Thanks to these exceptional figures, the Francos bested last year's final accounting, finishing with a minor deficit of slightly more than 1% of the budget.

Foreign media celebrate the festival

Hundreds of print and electronic media representatives from here and outside Québec joined us for this anniversary edition, spreading the global good news about the Francos and Montreal itself: from Germany (Deutshe Welle Radio), Belgium (Libre Belgique, Le Vif), France (AFP, Chorus, la Ferarock, Le Monde, Le Mouv', Les Inrockuptibles, Longueur d'Ondes, Platine Magazine, Radio France Internationale (RFI), Ouest-France, L'Humanité, Figaro Magazine, Closer, L'Express, Télérama.fr, Fréquence 7), Mexico (Horizonte) and Switzerland (Afriqu'Echos), as well as media from other parts of Canada (Francophonie Express, Radio-Canada Sudbury, TFO / VOLT).

The Francos broadcast around the world

Finally, thanks to Sogestalt Télévision Québec, the following concerts have been recorded for future broadcast by TV5 Monde: the Grande fête multicuturelle Hydro‑Québec with Marco Calliari and his guests, the Événement spécial SIRIUS Radio Satellite Michel Rivard symphonique, the closing concert Félix, L'homme de paroles, the Grand rendez-vous Loto‑Québec with Gregory Charles and his surprise guests, and Terre planète bleue, starring Diane Dufresne and her friends.

TV5 Québec‑Canada will broadcast the Grande fête multiculturelle Hydro‑Québec hosted by Marco Calliari on Sunday, August 3 at 8 p.m., Terre planète bleue starring Diane Dufresne on Sunday, August 10 at 8 p.m., the Grand rendez-vous Loto‑Québec with Gregory Charles on Sunday, August 24 at 8 p.m., as well as performances by de Karkwa and Malajube (taken from the show 20 ans... dans les dents !, as the opening segment of the Grande soirée de clôture Ford) on Sunday, August 17 at 8 p.m..

Also, Radio‑Canada will broacast concerts by Gatineau, Alexandre Désilets, Karkwa and Malajube, while ARTV will broadcast the Alexandre Désilets concert.

Mark your calendars: the 21st edition of Les FrancoFolies de Montréal runs from July 30 to August 9, 2009!