FME 2024 Day 2

Day 2 of the 22nd Edition of FME

Hidden Beats

We Are Story Tellers

As FME 2024 Day 2 unfolded, Rouyn became a canvas for musical magic. From the familiar tones of Peter Dreams to Nyssa’s enchanting rituals, Mossaï Mossaï’s psychedelic soundscapes, and Alix Fernz’s raw energy, each performance captivated and transformed the night. FME once again proved its unique power to create unforgettable musical experiences.

Peter Dreams: A Surreal Journey into Familiarity

Our evening at the QG music venue in Rouyn-Noranda began with an ethereal trip into the subconscious, guided by Peter Dreams, the latest brainchild of the vocalist from July Talk. This project felt like a comforting déjà vu, where every note played struck a familiar chord in the hearts of those who’ve followed his journey. Peter Dreams was not just a performance—it was an experience of intense expressiveness, where the artist’s body language and facial expressions were as much a part of the music as the sound itself.

With every movement, he seemed to weave a narrative, as if he were a character sprung from a fantastical dream, interacting with te audience in ways that blurred the lines between reality and imagination. Hia backing band, Moonriivr, provided a flawless accompaniment, their synergy suggesting a connection that felt like it had long been forged over many lifetimes rather than just simple rehearsals.

Nyssa: The Enchantress of the Night

Next on the stage was Nyssa, an artist who can only be described as a modern-day witch, enchanting the crowd with every spellbinding note. As she opened her set with a prayer to the spirits of the venue, it became clear that this was not just a performance, but a ritual. Nyssa’s dark, enigmatic presence filled the room, and each song she performed was like a window into the myriad lives she’s lived.

Her set was punctuated by samples of natural sounds—stormy winds, birdsong, the chirping of crickets—which only deepened the mystical atmosphere. Her voice, piercing yet enveloping, cut through the crowd’s defenses, moving some to tears with lyrics that seemed to tap directly into the soul. When she dedicated a song to Venus, it felt as though the very cosmos aligned in her favor, amplifying the power of her performance.

Mossaï Mossaï: A Psychedelic Awakening

From there, we moved to the Paramount Theatre, where the night took a turn for the surreal with Mossaï Mossaï. The transformation of the classic theatre into a dreamscape, complete with twinkle lights and smoky haze, set the stage for one of the most mind-bending performances I’ve ever witnessed.

Mossaï Mossaï is a unique concoction—vocals that shift from ghostly whispers to banshee-like wails, basslines that are both groovy and grounding, and guitar riffs that echo like the desert winds. Their music transcended mere auditory experience, particularly as they sang about trans rights with a conviction that stirred something deep within every listener. The band’s connection with one another was palpable—they played not as separate musicians, but as a single, symbiotic entity, each feeding off the other’s energy in a way that was mesmerizing to watch; this was more than music, it was a collective awakening, a religious ritual of sound that demanded attention and reverence.

Alix Fernz: A Post-Punk Catharsis

Finally, our night concluded with the raw energy of Alix Fernz, who brought a post-punk explosion to the stage that was both chaotic and cathartic. Alix, semi-shirtless, screamed his way through a set that felt like an exorcism of every buried emotion. His band, reminiscent of a forgotten 80s film set in a seedy bar, was the perfect backdrop for his primal outpouring.

The music was an unfiltered release of pent-up energy, a moment that had been building all day, finally unleashed with reckless abandon. Alix Fernz didn’t just perform; he lived his music, and in doing so, invited the audience to live it with him, to scream, to let go, and to feel everything all at once.

In just one night, FME delivered a spectrum of experiences, each one unique and unforgettable. From the dreamy surrealism, of Peter Dreams to the witchy incantations of Nyssa, the psychedelic depths of Mossaï Mossaï, and the raw, visceral energy of Alic Fernz, this festival proves that music is more than sound—it’s a powerful, transformative force that connects us all.

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