Michel Renaud founds Quebec Prog Fest for regional artists
Quebec City’s live music scene is gaining a dedicated showcase for progressive rock as the inaugural Quebec Prog Fest prepares to launch from November 6 to 8 at the Salle Jean-Paul-Tardif du Collège Saint-Charles-Garnier, Le Soleil reported.
Establishing a Local Stage for Progressive Rock
The festival aims to give local progressive rock acts a dedicated platform to perform. Michel Renaud, a singer for several regional prog bands, founded the event after noticing that existing local festivals primarily showcase international acts. Renaud noted that while the Terra Incognita festival focuses on introducing Quebec audiences to overseas progressive groups, his project centers on regional artists who often struggle to find performance spaces, according to Le Soleil.
Renaud initially considered hosting the event in Montreal before selecting Quebec City, his hometown and a known hub for progressive rock enthusiasts. He also seeks to counter the perception that the genre is strictly tied to 1970s acts like Genesis, Yes, and King Crimson, emphasizing its modern sounds.
Renaud Bands and Regional Artists Anchor Festival Schedule
The three-day festival schedule features a mix of veteran regional groups and newer artists. Renaud’s own bands anchor two of the evening slots: bySomethingELSE opens Friday night, and Baudelaire closes Sunday night.
Saturday’s lineup features Kaos Moon and Huis. Huis, formed in 2009 with members from Outaouais and Montreal, released its fifth album, À huis clos, in 2025. The lineup includes singer-keyboardist Michel Descôteaux, guitarist Michel St-Père, bassist Michel Joncas, keyboardist Mathieu Touzin, and drummer William Régnier. Kaos Moon, a Montreal project led by singer, drummer and multi-instrumentalist Bernard Ouellette, released its third album, The Goldfish, in 2024 and previously counted pianist Christian Marc Gendron among its members.
Additional weekend performances include Jacob Roberge, who released his debut album The Passing last year following an appearance on Star Académie in 2021, and Vecteur K, a symphonic progressive rock band featuring musicians from Montreal and Lanaudière.
Tribute to Pioneers and Future Plans
The festival concludes Sunday evening with a collaborative tribute concert honoring early Quebec progressive rock pioneers such as Garolou, Harmonium, Octobre, Morse Code, and Sloche. Renaud stated that organizers attempted to secure appearances from Garolou and Morse Code for the inaugural event without success, but plan to try again in future editions.
Organizers intend to make the Quebec Prog Fest an annual event. For Renaud, the festival also coincides with the recent release of Hope, an album from his band bySomethingELSE, recorded with high school friends four decades after forming the group.