FME Review: Billie du Page, Crasher, UTO, August 28

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FME Review: Billie du Page, Crasher, UTO, August 28

Posted on

29 Aug 2025

by

Paul

Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME) has been going on for 23 years now, bringing a wide ranging lineup of cool new and emerging music to the Northern Quebec city of Rouyn-Noranda. Going into this festival, I knew a handful of the names but there were quite a few more whom I wasn’t overly familiar with, especially the Francophone acts – which at FME, means most of them.

One of those artists was Billie du Page, though I quickly realized I had seen her before, during the Canada Day celebrations broadcast on CBC this past July, where he performed her song “Fake Friends” while flanked by a posse of colorfully dressed dancers. I’m showing my age here, but watching du Page open the FME mainstage on Thursday evening got me thinking about the days when an artist like Mitsou – or more recently (but still a long time ago) Coeur de Pirate – could cross over to the Anglo market. A charming and assured performer, du Page seems to have that same potential for crossover appeal, if given the chance.

From there I moved over to Cabaret du Dernier Chance to take in Crasher. Started out promising enough with a trippy hazy kind of sound that had hints of David Bowie by way of Mac Demarco and Ween. Then, midway through the set it’s like they hit a switch that kicked things up to the next level with the song “Nice Guise.” From there it was synth dance punk overdrive turned up to 11. Quite literally – according to Airick Asher Woodhead, the trio were so loud that they blew out the venue’s subwoofer during their set. Also, on a side note the drummer looked a bit like Richard Ayoade gone post-punk. Good stuff.

Following Crasher, UTO kept the weirdo electronic vibes going with a very dramatic and performative show. With the house lights off, the duo were lit mostly by handheld flashlights and wearing neon clothes that glowed in the dark under Cabaret de la Derniere Chance’s lights. UTO put on a fun and entertaining – albeit practically unphotographable – show.

All in all, the first night at FME delivered on the festival’s reputation for uncovering gems and delivering unexpected delights. If this was any indication, the rest of the weekend promises more standout moments from artists worth watching.

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