LASSO Montréal, presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Original is one of the most exciting country music festivals in the world and prides itself on providing fans with some of the most in-demand acts from anywhere and everywhere. As a champion of local talent, LASSO is also fiercely proud to add more Canadian and Quebecois names to that list. The calibre of acts from chez nous is astounding, so it is with great pleasure and pride that LASSO adds more Canadiana to the mix, ensuring a weekend of new discoveries for many fans.
This year, the Coca-Cola RANCH stage will play host to some of the best from the new vanguard, including Montreal-born Emilie Clepper, who spent half her life in Texas (where her dad, Russell Clepper – singer and founding member of the Porch Brothers – is originally from), soaking up that dusty southern sound, and mixing it with her own lived experience in Canada. Her music isn’t easy to pigeonhole, with a heavy Americana, country and folk influence, she is as comfortable playing a country music festival as she was to play the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal earlier in her career. Ready to perform some of his new songs on the Coca-Cola RANCH stage is talented singer-songwriter Yoan, winner of Season 2 of La Voix from Ferme-Neuve in the Laurentians. From Lévis, just south of Quebec City comes Blue Ridge Band, an exciting young Quebecois act with a big American sound, citing influences like Morgan Wallen, Keith Urban and Luke Combs. The French version of their song “Chasing Sunsets” recently hit the Mediabase’s Top 10 for Quebec radio.
Ontario’s Owen Riegling will take the Coca-Cola RANCH stage – he’s proven himself to be a major force in the industry, opening for Tyler Hubbard and Chase Rice last year. He won Emerging Artist showcases at major international festivals and signed to Universal Music Canada as a result of his indie success. Prince Edward Island’s own Alli Walker will be performing at LASSO as well – one of Canada’s bright rising stars, her addition of bagpipes to her hit “The Whiskey’s Gone” made her massively popular on TikTok with over 10 million views and 2 million streams globally.
In addition to the new local talent, some American artists have been added to the lineup. Nashville’s George Birge will be on hand, the Texas-born singer/songwriter signed to the RECORDS label (home to some of the biggest names in the world) after becoming a worldwide phenomenon with his hit “Beer Beer, Truck Truck” in 2021. The former Waterloo Revival member is a real-deal country star, recently cited as Billboard’s January Country Rookie of the Month with his top 5 Country Airplay hit, “Mind on You”. Fans won’t want to miss this opportunity to see him perform live.
Arizona’s Avery Anna has been selected to play LASSO’s Coca-Cola RANCH stage. The young singer rose to fame after releasing a variety of classic country covers she actually recorded in the tub (for acoustics), which made her an instant online sensation. Now she boasts 1.4 million followers, and she was named 2022 YouTube Artist on the Rise. She is definitely one to watch!
This year, LASSO Montréal is once again proud to present SiriusXM Backyard Sessions– where fans will have the opportunity to see local artists in a hyper intimate environment. This year SiriusXM Backyard Sessions will feature acts like Mégane Lebel, Sandrine Hébert, Ken Presse and Bud Rice. It’s a chance to see some of the future stars of Quebec’s burgeoning country scene.
LASSO Montréal will take place on August 16-17 at Montreal’s Parc Jean Drapeau. Passes are already on sale at lassomontreal.com. GA tickets start at $140 CAD, and Gold tickets at $305 CAD.