Quebec has a rich and creative musical culture rooted in the “melting pot” in which it has been stirring since the early days of the New France colony in 1534. Through the country’s and the province’s history, under French, Irish, Scottish, British and US influences, Québec’s music became a complex mix of French and English traditions and morphed to develop its own language and style. 

 

As Québec is nowadays a modern cosmopolitan society, all types of music bloom in the culture. Particular to the province are its traditional Quebecois songs (la chanson québécoise), but Quebec also has a very flowering indie scene, a growing rap and hip hop culture, many well-known jazz musicians, a culture of classical (and neo-classical) music, a local variety of Celtic/Traditional music and the music of local First Nations and the Inuit. Urban areas and summer festivals also feature music and rhythms from around the world.

 

To take a dip into Québec’s music scene, here is a selection of artists from different style and decades that will allow you to get into the groove and travel without moving!