With simply sooner or later to go earlier than Montreal’s largest digital music pageant, îLESONIQ, we’re excited to share an unique dialog with Évelyne Côté. She’s the driving power behind the programming of îLESONIQ, Canada’s largest digital music pageant, in addition to its sister occasions, OSHEAGA and LASSO. When you comply with Canada’s music scene, you already know Évelyne’s impression. She’s a serious determine in dance music, with roots in Montreal’s underground rave tradition. From spinning data to learning music journalism, she’s performed all of it. Évelyne sat down with us at EDMTunes to mirror on the journey of ÎLESONIQ. Because the pageant celebrates its tenth anniversary this weekend, she shared the way it all started. From how OSHEAGA helped form its progress, and the way LASSO is studying from each.
The daring textual content is our questions, adopted by Évelyne’s responses.
Thanks Évelyne for taking the time and speaking to us particularly with how busy these previous few weeks have been with OSHEAGA final week and îLESONIQ, LASSO arising. I do know îLESONIQ launched a number of years after OSHEAGA—what impressed its creation?
OSHEAGA launched in 2006. I joined the crew in 2010. My first version was the yr we expanded to 3 days and booked EMINEM. That was a turning level—it went effectively, with a number of issues to fine-tune. After the 2011 version, our fifth, momentum picked up. Brokers from varied genres confirmed curiosity. EMINEM introduced hip-hop, digital music, and new traits, increasing OSHEAGA’s indie-rock roots. By 2013, large EDM headliners began calling. Extremely and EDC had been booming, and pure digital festivals had been rising throughout North America. Artists like Tiësto, David Guetta, and Above & Past didn’t fairly match OSHEAGA’s core viewers. So, we requested ourselves—might we construct a sister pageant with out diluting OSHEAGA? We believed we might. In 2013, we started shaping the enterprise mannequin.
Now, with LASSO, our nation music pageant, we purpose to unfold manufacturing and website prices throughout three weekends—OSHEAGA, îLESONIQ, and LASSO. OSHEAGA turns the positioning into Quebec’s twelfth largest metropolis for that weekend. Internet hosting high-quality digital or nation festivals in Canada wouldn’t be viable with out this mannequin. We reuse phases however goal totally different niches, with some fan overlap. Bookings for the inaugural îLESONIQ was robust. Tiësto joined us, and we’re without end grateful. We began reserving in February 2014 for an August launch. Evaluate that to us reserving artists now for 2026. That was the largest problem of my profession. Seeing followers embrace the model in its first yr was unbelievable. Most festivals don’t revenue in yr one, however îLESONIQ did—and quick.
Having that have from OSHEAGA after which utilizing what you learnt, did that assist with ÎLESONIQ?
Digital music has a definite tradition. It grew from the underground and developed its personal codes and tight-knit group. Because it moved into the mainstream, issues modified. OSHEAGA’s poster lineup used to come back collectively organically. Now, it’s extra complicated—identical to constructing a lineup for digital artists. Dynamic pricing and tiered tickets had been as soon as uncommon for rock exhibits. We noticed them extra in raves and DJ occasions, the place ticket costs began low and elevated. These occasions grew to become areas for exploration and innovation. So we did be taught however this trade is all the time evolving.
It has been an amazing 10 years for ÎLESONIQ, how has the imaginative and prescient advanced because it’s early days?
🔊 Sound Evolution
From the beginning, we aimed to push manufacturing high quality. Sound was a high precedence. We centered on containing it to the island to keep away from disturbing neighbors. Most DJs don’t convey sound engineers, so muddy sound was frequent. We addressed this early by staffing sound groups correctly. Over time, we optimized delay towers and tailored setups for out of doors situations and climate. Now, we’re consultants in delivering high-quality sound in any surroundings.
🎧 OASIS Stage
Within the early years, OSHEAGA had two most important phases. For ÎLESONIQ, we used just one a part of the positioning and eliminated one stage, adorning the remaining most important stage. It was already large—the most important cell stage obtainable in North America. Then a number of years in the past, I used to be backstage with Nick from reserving and Duncan, our senior manufacturing director. Duncan sketched a hydraulic DJ sales space between the 2 phases—full with video partitions, shifting lights, and lasers—on a serviette at a picnic desk. It simply made sense. We wanted to match the dimensions of main festivals. Followers had been coming from Argentina, Belgium, France, the UK, and Mexico. We needed to ship international-level manufacturing.
Increasing ÎLESONIQ to each components of the positioning, like OSHEAGA, was a serious milestone. Doubling the principle stage allowed us to host top-tier headliners whereas experimenting with programming on smaller phases. It gave us the flexibleness to push inventive boundaries and diversify the expertise.
🎶 Programming Variety
Our objective was to increase past mainstream. At this time, we cowl techno, home, dubstep, and drum and bass. We’ve constructed credibility throughout genres. Artists belief our crowd and really feel secure taking inventive dangers. That repute makes ÎLESONIQ a vacation spot for daring performances.
Speaking about Montreal, and native expertise. How do you steadiness showcasing rising native artists with reserving established names once you curate your lineup yearly?
At evenko, we produce over 1,000 exhibits a yr. We work with worldwide and native artists each week. That provides us a transparent view of which artists are prepared for a pageant slot and who can profit most from the publicity. It’s a continuing dialogue. We collaborate with native champions who assist the scene and are nice companions.
I do know we chatted concerning the evolution of this pageant prior to now decade, what was the largest problem you confronted once you had been launching ÎLESONIQ?
We normally announce our lineup in February, however for that first yr, we did it in April. By February, 80% of artists have already got plans or confirmed bookings—particularly in Europe and Ibiza. The pageant circuit kicks off with Tomorrowland and runs by August, generally into October.
Our largest problem was convincing artists to fly to Montreal for one weekend after which return to Europe. We needed to make a powerful case for why it was value their time.
What has essentially the most memorable second been working with ÎLESONIQ, OSHEAGA or evenko?
There have been many memorable moments. One which stands out is the primary Friday at midday once we opened the gates for ÎLESONIQ. Seeing followers dressed up, dashing in, and totally immersed from the beginning was emotional. Yearly, I return to the identical spot on the terrace to observe that vitality—it’s unmatched. After a yr of planning, seeing that pleasure is extremely rewarding.
Programming has been each difficult and enjoyable. We’ve expanded into techno with artists like Sarah Landry and Eli Brown. Final yr, Sama and Anna performed back-to-back—a uncommon set just one different pageant in South America secured. Their response to the stage and crowd felt like a coming-of-age second for ÎLESONIQ. This yr, we’re pushing additional with acts like Tape B and Levity. We purpose to make every version distinctive, not simply comply with the standard EDM pageant method.
At OSHEAGA in 2013, we hosted a Boiler Room occasion. It was chaotic—manufacturing complications, a small dome, and an unfinished website. As regular with Boiler Room, it was free however hidden. Followers needed to discover it. Regardless of the challenges, I cherished that mission.
Working with evenko looks like being a part of a household. We every focus on totally different genres, however everybody helps each other. I’m grateful to be a part of this crew.
The Sama B2B Anna attracted an enormous crowd from Toronto final yr. You’re a DJ your self, how does that affect your work within the pageant world. And when are we going to see you subsequent behind the decks?
I began DJing about 3–4 years in the past, already in my 40s. I had all the time separated music from enterprise in my thoughts. Most programmers get into it as a result of they love music, however after 12–15 years, the enterprise facet takes over. You spend 40–70 hours per week on logistics and planning.
DJing grew to become my solution to reconnect with music on a private degree. As a booker, sharing music is extra transactional. As a DJ, it’s direct. It helps me rediscover what I really like. I play about three or 4 units a yr. My subsequent set is in Quebec Metropolis on the St-Roch XP pageant, taking place September 4–6. I’ll be taking part in on the sixth. The venue is a closed-down toy retailer referred to as Benjo, which was reopened only for the weekend. It’ll host a collection of DJ units. I’m excited to play there alongside toyandskinny.
The place do you see ÎLESONIQ heading within the subsequent 5 years?
I wish to hold creating surprises and unique moments. I have already got a number of concepts for subsequent yr. Our exhibits have grown into large spectacles—with pyros, lasers, and video partitions. However I’d like to convey the expertise nearer to the group.
Digital music encourages self-expression. It’s therapeutic—individuals dance with one another and with themselves. ÎLESONIQ is a welcoming area. When you’re uncertain, give it a strive. It’s a spot to be your self, with just a little further. Step out of routine and get impressed. That’s the spirit I wish to hold cultivating.
What recommendation do you will have for somebody beginning their very own pageant ?
There are two paths. You both be a part of a big firm that has the sources to take dangers and take in losses for a number of years till it builds credibility. Otherwise you begin small—underground—with associates or a crew. Proper now, being within the center is the toughest place to be.
Final enjoyable, private one. On the streaming service you employ what could be final tune you’d be listening to?
I used to be listening to Spotify’s Launch Radar and heard three standout tracks: ‘Falling’ by Alexis Roberts, Bonobo, and Chris Lake; ‘Entrance & Backseat’ by Michael Bibi; and Max Styler’s remix of Samantha Loveridge’s ‘Backtrack Blow Up.’ Prepare—his Sunday after-party will function a 360-degree setup at Studio. It’s going to be a deal with, ticket data here.
Thanks on your time, any final phrases for our readers?
Closing ideas: Music festivals are good on your well being. When you’re a youthful fan, ÎLESONIQ is a superb place to start out. When you’re a seasoned fan, you’re probably underestimating how a lot enjoyable you’ll have. Give it a strive—you could be stunned.
Hope you take pleasure in this learn and do take a look at ÎLESONIQ within the coming years, it won’t disappoint.
