5 Acts to Check Out at FME 2026
From September 3 to 6, the Festival De Musique Émergente (FME) returns to Rouyn-Noranda for its 24th edition. Featuring Québec, Canadian, and international talent alike, this gem of a festival tucked in Abitibi-Témiscamingue is welcoming over 90 acts this year; here are 5 performers not to miss.
1. Choses Sauvages
PETIT THÉÂTRE DU VIEUX NORANDA – 3/9, 22H30
On their record Choses Sauvages III, released last year, Montréal’s Choses Sauvages began to explore jagged electronic post-punk territory after two albums of breezier bops with a Mediterranean air. This dabble in a new direction promises a set worth checking out on the festival’s opening night, performing alongside bouncy pop sensations Max Baby and Camilla Sparksss.
2. haha Laughing
SOUS-SOL DE PETIT THÉÂTRE DU VIEUX NORANDA – 6/9, 1H30
Texas two-piece haha Laughing fuse rap and bratty electronic experiments, and their new EP BIG WHATEVER is no exception. Determined to be the crown jewel of your night, haha Laughing is taking the stage in the basement of the Petit Théâtre du Vieux Noranda at 1h30 on Sunday, a wicked jolt of energy before recharging for the festival’s finale later that evening.
3. Worry
LE 55 DALLAIRE – 6/9, 18H
Rolling into Abitibi from Québec City, Worry’s noisy 2020s take on classic emo influences yields relatable, heartfelt headbangers. Hop on the Worry bandwagon now ahead of the release of their debut record Positive Memory, which comes out in September.
4. Afternoon Bike Ride
AGORA DES ARTS – 4/9, 20H
Montréal’s Afternoon Bike Ride takes the Agora des Arts stage on the FME’s Friday, armed with last year’s passionate, rhythmic record Running With Scissors. Quietly bubbling with textural, folky takes and experiments with tension build-ups and releases, Afternoon Bike Ride and Running With Scissors are sure to deliver an immersive live show with the same microdoses of adrenaline that running with scissors gives you.
Afternoon Bike Ride’s “Abigail”
5. Taxi Girls
SCÈNE PRINCIPALE – 6/9 22H30
Montréal’s Taxi Girls fiercely blend raucous garage-y-pop vibes with an unforgiving punk attitude. Their hooky rock-and-roll tunes, calling on the classic 90s greats, drip with demand to be turned up and moshed to, their brand-new record Static delivering this energy to a T.
“Secret Handshake” by Taxi Girls
See you at FME 2026!
Kasen Korstanje & Mia Duddy-Hayashibara
