Young avant‑garde artist takes top prize in Granby
The 58th Grand Concours Loto‑Québec crowned a new winner this year at the Festival international de la chanson de Granby, as 21‑year‑old artist Roublond — known offstage as Elliot Lavergne — took home the top prize and a suite of career supports aimed at helping him develop and promote his work beyond the festival circuit.
Festival organisers and media accounts portray Roublond as a somewhat enigmatic presence in the Quebec music scene. The Festival’s own website offers only a brief, cryptic portrait of his approach to music, emphasising a mix of influences and a forward‑looking aesthetic:
“Taking music where it has never gone before. Through some unconscious balancing of forces—perhaps simply a twist of fate—the idea is to combine what has been in order to reveal what comes next: Roublond.”
Reports to Radio‑Canada identify Roublond by his given name, Elliot Lavergne, and describe his music as avant‑garde pop. Coverage in Le Devoir characterises his work as "theatrical songwriting that flirts with rap and electronic music." A video attributed to the artist, titled “Boss chill bedaine pour les 4 personnes qui verront,” provides one publicly available glimpse of his creative output.
Prize package and immediate supports
Roublond’s victory brings more than prestige. According to festival reporting, the award package includes a $25,000 career‑development grant along with professional supports intended to raise his profile and prepare forthcoming releases. Those supports include:
- press‑relations assistance from Roy Turner;
- radio‑tracking services from Nat Corbeil.
Festival materials note that, at the time of the announcement, no releases by Roublond were available on Spotify, signalling that these supports are likely timed to accompany planned new material.
Field of finalists and additional awards
The Grand Concours semifinal roster included artists Aleksi Champagne, Sylvie Walker, Système Féodal and Alexandrine Larson. In a separate distinction, the SOCAN Song Prize was awarded to Aleksi Champagne for the song "Je bois," recognising songwriting achievement among finalists.
| Award | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Grand Concours Loto‑Québec (career grant) | Roublond (Elliot Lavergne) — $25,000 |
| SOCAN Song Prize | Aleksi Champagne — "Je bois" |
The Festival international de la chanson de Granby has long been a showcase for emerging francophone and bilingual talent in Quebec and beyond. Winners and finalists often receive not only financial and professional aid but also increased media attention and touring opportunities — benefits that can be decisive in the early stages of a music career.
For Granby residents and the region’s cultural network, Roublond’s win will be a focal point in festival coverage in the weeks ahead as details of his upcoming releases, promotional schedule and possible performances are clarified. Festival organisers and the artist’s new PR and radio supports are positioned to shape the next steps in what media have framed as an unconventional but promising musical trajectory.
Full details on the competition and the Festival international de la chanson de Granby’s programming are available through the festival’s official channels.
