Words / Phil Gomez
Photos / Art Evaristo
FEQ 2026 hit differently—it channeled the electric anticipation of a childhood sleepaway camp, the kind that makes your stomach do flips before you even reach the campsite. This marked LADYGUNN’s third year at the festival, and at this point, we’re way past the “camper” phase; we’re basically head counselors. As the Wet Hot American Summer ethos goes: “I don’t need luck, I’m a counselor!” We were locked and loaded to dive into the chaos. Covering FEQ isn’t just an assignment; it’s an immersive ecosystem that brings together a global collective of music, art, and culture. If you’re here, you’re here to “earn your patches.”
This year, we dropped into the heart of the 11-day marathon in Quebec City. With a lineup boasting legends like Muse, Shaggy, The All-American Rejects, and need we say it? The mother herself, KESHA, had to show up ready. We touched down on the eve of Kesha-fest, swept away by the FEQ chariot straight to our home base: the Château Frontenac. This royal fortress has played host to everyone from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Princess Grace of Monaco, and let’s be real—the guest list just got a hell of a lot cooler now that LADYGUNN has checked in.
Beyond its status as a grand historical landmark, the Château Frontenac is a contemporary pioneer in sustainable luxury. It’s a place where ecological gastronomy isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the standard. The chef maintains a lush rooftop garden to harvest local products, alongside active beehives that supply the kitchens with fresh honey. With a strict no-single-use-plastic policy, the hotel serves as a prime example of why we love Quebec: they honor the past while fiercely protecting the future. It’s that same ethos that makes FEQ so special. It carries the legendary DNA of an old-school festival like Woodstock but evolved to prioritize community and the environment. You feel that respect mirrored across the city, the crew, and the attendees alike, a rare, conscious energy that many mainstream festivals have yet to master.
Kesha Day was the ultimate way to kick off the FEQ experience. After an early morning exploring the Château and a glorious breakfast spread that fueled the fire we navigated the festival grounds to reunite with our favorite PR powerhouses, Kenza and Ines from BLEUFEU. Credentials in hand and feeling officially “in,” we hit the grounds on a mission to soak in the energy. As the sun dipped, the shift in atmosphere was palpable; the headliner always dictates the vibe for the evening, and tonight, the energy was singular. You could see it in the sea of cutoff shorts, leopard print bras peeking through DIY cutout tees, and enough glitter to be seen from space. FEQ was serving peak party-girl energy, and we were more than ready to join the movement.
If you’re looking for us, we’re likely at the artist compound, the undisputed hub for genuine “meet-cutes” and high-vibe headquarters. It’s also homebase to my favorite person in Quebec: Gabriel the bartender. For the last couple years, Gabriel has kept us hydrated and happy; this year, we even manifested the “Phil,” a drink born from a happy accident. While channeling Kesha’s own “tryna get a little bit tipsy” doctrine and feeling ready to “dance till your pants come off,” we spotted LADYGUNN alum’s, the boys from All-American Rejects, enjoying a post-show slice of pizza and just had to say hello before marching toward the Bell Stage.
Shaggy was already getting the party started. Let me tell you, “Uncle Shaggy” has absolutely still got it, delivering a high-energy performance defined by every thrust-heavy “dutty wine” the crowd could handle. The real fever pitch came with the 2000s anthem “It Wasn’t Me,” which dissolved the Plains of Abraham into a massive, singalong. Hyped on nostalgia and adrenaline, we were ready to “party till the break of dawn.”
“We do not stand abuse in my house, so put your middle fingers up.” Kesha commands, “you know what to do,” and a collective roar erupted. This wasn’t just a show; it was an awakening. Kesha looked and sounded incredible. From the first beat, you knew this was going to be a special performance. Emerging like the ultimate pop princess ascending from the ashes in giant pink feathered wings and kicking off the show with one of her bangers, “Tik Tok,” she had us all in the palm of her hand. And henny, she did not disappoint. From start to finish, she kept us fed with multiple outfit changes, a guitar solo, and fierce dance breaks. There was no option but to let the music take you.
I love live music. I love being in the crowd, exchanging emotions with strangers and friends. I love witnessing artists reclaim their power on stage. I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of great performances, and I will say that Kesha’s FEQ show will land in my top five. When you can see an artist fall back in love with their craft and give that love back to the crowd, that’s really special. One of the moments where you felt this vibrational transaction was during “Your Love.” You really felt her love for music, her love for performance, and her love for her fans—her Warriors. You also felt the love she was receiving, radiating through her and back out from the big LED screens in a burst of light, energy, and strength.
This was Kesha’s biggest show as an independent artist and one of FEQ’s most massive nights; you could feel the weight of it when she announced, “Tonight was brought to you by Kesha Records, Baby!” Feeling on a high, I made my way back to the artist compound for a drink, and remember how I said it’s the best space at FEQ for “meet-cutes”? Well, girl, I had one with none other than Kesha herself. At first, I held back. She’d just walked off stage after giving one of the biggest shows, and I didn’t want to fangirl too hard. But I just had to go up to her and tell her how magical it was to witness her artistry on her terms. And with that we said goodnight to day one.
Morning light washed over the Château Frontenac with a revitalizing glow, setting the stage for a yoga session that served as the ultimate palette cleanser for the soul. Between sips of fresh-pressed juices, rejuvenating massages, and a floral bouquet station curated by a local woman-owned farm, the post-Kesha haze finally began to lift. Rejuvenated and ready to earn our next set of patches for day two, we hit the media lounge for a deep dive with British pop sensation MIMI WEBB. Discovering that Mimi is a total equestrian at heart. With dreams of opening her own training center, she’s well on her way to becoming the world’s first equestrian pop icon, and girl, we totally see the vision. We also got a chance to kiki with JESSIE REYEZ, who had just delivered a raw and deeply emotional set as part of her Little Vengeance tour. Jessie Reyez made sure we knew the mic was definitely on! When asked what emotion deserves more songs written about, she paused before saying: “spirituality and consciousness.” She recommended a specific track by BJ The Chicago Kid, Dream II, “If you never heard it and you’re looking for some gasoline in your life, it’s a beautiful song.” Beyond the music, we learned she’ll never pass up her mom’s empanadas paired with the Aji Pique her dad crafts. All this talk of family recipes worked up a serious appetite, and luckily, we were booked for a culinary feast at the newest eatery from our Quebecan favorite that brought you, La Buche.
While its sister spot La Bûche has long since cemented its reputation as a culinary staple of Old Québec, LA BUCHETTE serves up a more intimate, neighborhood-bistro mood while keeping that signature Québécois soul front and center. And babes, if we’re lodging like royalty at the Château F, we should be feasting like it, too. Consider this your official sign to manifest the Seafood Tower. It’s a literal mountain of crushed ice overflowing with the freshest treasures from the Atlantic coast, the kind of over-the-top indulgence LADYGUNN fully endorses. We’re talking freshly shucked oysters, chilled jumbo shrimp, succulent lobster, crab legs (whatever the sea decides to gift us that day), all crowned with scallops and caviar. Paired with house-made mignonette, fresh horseradish, and a chilled glass of champs, it’s equal parts feast and spectacle. It’s elegant, abundant, and effortlessly photogenic a true headliner moment that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of authenticity. Another standout was the Duck Carpaccio; sliced paper-thin and dressed in a honey-truffle vinaigrette with a crunchy praline, it’s the ultimate sweet-and-savory bite. La Buchette is living proof that even comfort food can serve a look. With our spirits high and batteries recharged, we navigated back to FEQ, making a mandatory pit stop at the artist compound for a nightcap. Feeling properly fueled, we officially earned our day two patches just as the stars took over the night sky.
Day three arrived with that signature bittersweet feeling, it’s typically our final full day, so the mission was to jam-pack every second with as much as possible. We kicked things off early with an exploratory mission, but first, a mandatory pit stop at SQDC, the local dispensary. Because let’s be real: what’s an urban adventure without a little green-tinted enlightenment? Coming from New York, I’m a total walking enthusiast, and Quebec City is the ultimate playground for it. You find yourself wandering through an old-world cinematic dreamscape, where modern art installations and busker melodies interject with the salty breeze from the St. Lawrence. It’s all very main-character energy. Our destination? One of our absolute favorite Quebec pastimes: vintage hunting. We navigated to St. Joseph Street, lined with boutiques and cafes that serve pure eye candy for those looking for a hunt. One of my top-tier picks is BillieBob’s; I always manage to find absolute gems there. Lawrence, the owner, greets us like old friends now, and the luck holds up once again. I walked away with a vintage majorette bandleader hat that I was fully obsessed with though maybe that was just the Aperol Spritz talking. Either way, mission accomplished. Feeling a little tipsy and properly rejuvenated by retail therapy, we navigated back to the festival grounds and take five with the boys from FAUX REAL before their set, the Franco-American art pop duo formed by brothers Elliott and Virgile Arndt schooled us on a universal truth: “faking stuff is more real than you think”.
The vibrations at the artist compound took a sharp turn as a string of weather-induced cancellations left the atmosphere feeling a little heavy. But babes, the moment we realized we were all huddled together under the shelter of the bar canopy, the despair evaporated. Gabriel stepped up as the undisputed headliner of the hour, keeping the spirits high while the rain hammered down. In the midst of the washout, we shared fries with the girls from BIRDS OF PREYYY and even crossed paths with GENERAL CHAOS, a Montreal-based punk collective whose 16-year-old members prove that rock ‘n’ roll has no age limit. However, the real buzz of the festival was reserved for indie darlings ROYEL OTIS. As soon as the weather gods decided to play nice, we sprinted toward the stage. And they served a set that channeled that raw “smells like teen spirit” grit, acting as the ultimate catalyst for an era-defining moment and we got to witness it.
And just like that, our final day slips into the rearview. As we share our parting goodbyes and absorb the remaining energy of the FEQ atmosphere back at the artist compound, I have to pause and reflect on the true significance of this cultural moment. Music festivals possess a unique kind of magic; they function as life-shaping experiences that leave a lasting impact on everyone, from the crew behind the scenes to the fans singing along in the pits.
I have gathered a lifetime of festival memories, but FEQ easily claims a permanent spot at the very top. Much like LADYGUNN, they prioritize community at their core. Rather than simply booking talent, they focus on amplifying the next generation of indie voices and curating the historic crossovers that define an era. This intentional curation is the secret sauce behind their eclectic lineup, a masterclass in programming that simultaneously honors nostalgia, invites new discovery, and encourages you to leave your worries at the entrance gates. Spending a few days fully immersed in this collective consciousness, driven by a shared sense of collective purpose, serves as a reminder of just how vibrant life becomes when you step beyond your own orbit.
