If it was not yet clear that Montreal could be a country city, the Lasso festival has just closed the debate. More important in terms of tickets sold, but still representative of the country spirit, the first day of the second edition bodes well for the future.
Responsible for closing the first night, star singer Kane Brown put new country in the spotlight. Warmly welcomed by thousands of voices, the Tennessee native deftly blended pop and hip-hop with country to put on quite the show.
The fans leaning on the front rails – mostly female – had obviously come for Kane Brown, and they were rewarded with songs they knew from A to Z. Amid the flames, the headliner was visibly having fun on stage .
His most popular songs, such as Heaven, One Thing Right, Be Like That or Thank God, triggered a rather exceptional wave of enthusiasm. Lauren Alaina also made a surprise appearance during this last song.
Jake Owen, armed with a charming smile, natural assurance and a colorful jacket, was sublime. As night fell, the penultimate performer to take the stage did so shining as bright as the stars. The Floridian left his microphone like a king, in front of a cheering crowd.
“Lasso is a much simpler festival. The performers and the crowd are really easy going,” says Audray Johnson, Project Manager for Lasso. “It’s really part of country culture, kind of ‘laid back, I’m having a beer, I’m having fun.’ This difference, we really feel it at all levels. It’s like a breath of fresh air. »
Around 55,000 tickets were sold for the two days, which is a considerable increase on the 35,000 festival-goers counted last year.
“People are really there and very enthusiastic. Our objective was to continue to grow, but there, we exceeded our objectives. […] We try to make a festival that reflects our city. We want it to be representative, diversified. »
In the afternoon, festival-goers began to settle on the premises. Cowboy hats, checkered shirts, leather boots, jeans and typical accessories that go with the rest… Groups sat down on the hill, others took pictures in front of the large letters of the name Lasso.
Then, in the evening, when the sun went to hide behind the clouds, the temperature started to cool down. The comforting warmth of the voice of Gabby Barrett, who notably performed Dolly Parton, more than made up for it.
At the first edition, the Lasso organization noticed that many spectators “spontaneously” started line dancing. This is why the leaders have added a tent especially for this purpose, near the secondary stage of the Ranch.
“It really works,” says Audray Johnson with a smile. In fact, it was hard not to feel like you were somewhere in the American South, watching boots and smiles bobbing with calculated synchronicity.
Lasso is a community that often shares the same roots and appreciates the same music. These are country fans who finally have their major event to celebrate in Quebec, and who will no doubt continue to answer the call.
If we had to summarize them, what are the expectations for this second edition and what will come of it?
“May the weather continue to be nice, the shows go well, people have fun and the artists have a great experience,” replies Audray Johnson. That the word continues to spread, that we can come back for a third year with an edition that is still as positive. »
The holding of the third edition is already confirmed. For the future, the vision is long term. ” That’s the point. We have the potential for it to grow enormously, for it to become a festival that is part of Montreal culture and country culture in people’s minds. »
