Héron, Nate Smith, Goldfinger and Gwen Stefani at FEQ 2026

There was a special kind of magic in the air, sweeping Québec City’s old cobblestone streets, during the 58th annual Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ). Perhaps it was the beautifully curated artwork lining the sidewalks, or the thousands of French-speaking music lovers who flocked to the centre-ville. Whatever it was, the energy was a-buzz in a down-to-earth way; strangers connecting with strangers, parents and kids in the crowds, and even the “olé, olé, olé” chant en masse. With stages set up in significant historic sites like the Plains of Abraham and Armoury, FEQ was an enchanting ode to the past and present, featuring a blend of provincial, national, and international artists. 

Here are a few of the folk-country-pop musical highlights:

Nate Smith

If there was one artist who arrived at FEQ ready to tear things up, it was country powerhouse, Nate Smith. Forced to reschedule his appearance last year after losing his voice, Smith made his triumphant return to Québec City with unmatched charisma and high-octane energy. Acknowledging that there’s “something truly special about Québec,” he warmed the crowd up by trying out his French; a casual “ça va?”

Smith didn’t just perform from the stage; he hopped right into the pit, much to the cowboy-hat clad crowds’ delight. Hits like “Whiskey on You” and “Nobody Likes Your Girlfriend” had the entire field shouting every word, while his gritty cover of Luke Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart” inspired the aforementioned “olé, olé, olé” chants from the audience. Showing off his genre-bending sensibilities, Smith threw in a crowd-pleasing rendition of Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” alongside his brand-new track, “Break Up Like That”. A really fun, lighthearted show, where you could feel Smith’s sheer joy from the stage.

Héron

Making their FEQ debut, folk outfit Héron delivered a set that seemed to transmit a “get up and dance” signal throughout the crowd. Although the clouds arrived just in time for their second song, the band brought the light via an energising traditional folk performance that included dancing, collective harmonising, and the weaving of traditional folk music, jigs, and even a bit of tap dancing. Created by singer-songwriter Henri Kinkead, who incidentally hails from Québec City, the Montreal-based group felt a bit like watching old friends perform; genuine and jovial. Swapping between acoustic guitars and soaring violins, the group created rich harmonies and was a lot of fun to watch live – even for someone with shaky French comprehension.

Goldfinger

Rounding out another memorable FEQ night, ska-punk legends Goldfinger proved that age is merely a detail when you have relentless “je ne sais quoi”. With their lead singer sporting a (predictably) sharp suit, the band unleashed a wave of nostalgia that instantly turned the crowd into a swirling, energetic pool. Playing fan favourites like “Counting the Days” and the iconic “Superman,” the group leaned into a whimsical set that was worth a listen.

Gwen Stefani

When Gwen Stefani took over FEQ’s Bell Stage, set up on the historic Plains of Abraham, expectations ran high. Seeing a legend perform was very cool, but for lifelong No Doubt fans, the night was an absolute thrill. The nineties and early 2000s were resurrected.

Onstage, Stefani was magnetic. And, it would be remiss not to mention her iconic wardrobe: a blend of buckles, plaid, fishnet, pink sparkles, and Doc Martens. Backed by an impressive troop of dancers, she proved she still has all the moves, and that her voice retains that unmistakable edge.

The crowd’s energy tipped into a frenzy when Stefani launched into solo mega-hits like “Hollaback Girl,” turning the massive grounds into a giant sing-along party. But an absolute highlight came when she dug into her No Doubt catalogue, delivering renditions of classics like “Ex-Girlfriend” and “Hella Good”.  

Gwen Stefani remains a total powerhouse performer, an artist who commands thousands with seemingly effortless charisma and incredible stage presence. It was truly a delight to watch someone who is undoubtedly still in her prime.  

After a few days spent at FEQ, it could certainly be said that this festival thrives on a mish-mash of artists, whether tap-dancing folk, a country star, or a legendary ska-pop queen. As the festival lights dimmed for another year, attendees walked away having experienced a truly community-oriented event and some pretty stellar musical moments.