Organizers of the Festival d'ete de Quebec (FEQ) are securing headline acts years in advance for the 2027 and 2028 editions, even before the 2026 festival begins.
Louis Bellavance, Vice President of Content and Artistic Direction at BLEUFEU, detailed the long-term planning strategy during a radio interview on Que Quebec se leve.
The multi-year booking cycle carries significant economic risks.
Management must predict the future popularity of performers long before they take the stage on the Plains of Abraham.
Evaluating the lasting appeal of nostalgic acts is particularly challenging due to unpredictable cultural trends.
Bellavance noted that while past hitmakers experience cyclical waves of renewed popularity, established rock bands like Muse continue to guarantee strong ticket sales locally.
"On n'a plus peur de rien sur ces Plaines-la," Bellavance said.
The upcoming 2026 festival begins this Friday, featuring a performance by Muse on July 17.
