The Panic Manual

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

Posted on

29 Aug 2025

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’s show. Their set 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.

Song of the Day: Heartworms – Celebrate

Posted on

28 Aug 2025

Paul

“Celebrate is the latest single from London’s Heartworms, taken from their debut album Glutton for Punishment, out now via Speedy Wunderground, Check it out.

Song of the Day: Austra – Math Equation

Posted on

27 Aug 2025

Paul

Austra are back with a new track, “Math Equation,” taken from the Toronto band’s upcoming album Chin Up Buttercup, out November 14 via Domino Recording Co. Check it out.

Song of the Day: Wolf Alice – Thorns

Posted on

22 Aug 2025

Paul

Today sees the release of The Clearing, Wolf Alice‘s fourth full-length album. The album finds the London four-piece leaning into a lush, ’70s-inspired sound that suits them quite well.. Check out the lyric video below for the album’s opening track, “Thorns.”

The Clearing is out now via RCA Records.

Song of the Day: Living Hour – Waiter

Posted on

21 Aug 2025

Paul

“Waiter” is the latest single from Winnipeg’s Living Hour, taken off their upcoming fourth full-length album Internal Drone Infinity. Check it out.

Internal Drone Infinity is out October 17th via Keeled Scales, Paper Bag Records & Beloved Records.

Preview: Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME)

Posted on

21 Aug 2025

Paul

Next week marks the 23rd edition of the Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME). Set in the city of Rouyn-Noranda, the longstanding festival with a focus on new and emerging music from Quebec and beyond will be taking place from August 28-31 and Panic Manual will be there to take it all in. With a diverse lineup spanning across multiple genres, there’s a lot going on over the festival’s four days. Below are a few of the acts that caught our attention:

Population II

One of the most exciting live bands going these days, these Montreal psych rockers always put on an impressive show. Running the gamut from jazzy trippiness to heavy riffage, Population II are well worth your time.

The OBGMs

Since Panic Manual is primarily a Toronto-based blog, let’s shine a light on one of the Torontonian acts playing FME this year – The OBGMs. Another fantastic live band, The OBGMs put on an intense, high energy, and very fun show.

Bibi Club

The duo of Nicolas Basque and Adèle Trottier-Rivard (aka Bibi Club) have been making a name for themselves over the past few years with their indie pop sound and are on the shortlist for this year’s Polaris Music Prize (alongside fellow FME performers Population II and The OBGMs). They’ll be playing the first night of the festival at the intriguingly named Cabaret de la Dernière Chance.

Meggie Lennon

Montreal dream pop singer-songwriter Meggie Lennon released her sophomore album Desire Days back in June via Mothland and she’ll be playing FME in support of the album on Friday, August 29.

Nadah El Shazly

While there are a few familiar names I’ll be looking forward to seeing again at FME, there are plenty of names on the bill that are new to me and really, that spirit of discovery is what festivals like FME are all about. One such name is Nadah El Shazly. The Cairo-born and Montreal-based artist will be performing music off her latest, Laini Tani, on the final day of the fest.