Renowned the world over, the multi award winning and highly acclaimed group Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Québec’s progressive francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music with a broad range of global influences, whilst rooted in the Celtic diaspora.
An enthralling live quintet, Le Vent du Nord continually push the envelope and explore new sounds with stunning vocal arrangements, instrumental textures and an astoundingly tight interplay which they’ve built their legend on. Their five voices unite, alongside bouzouki, fiddle, guitar, piano, hurdy-gurdy, accordion, electric bass, jaw-harp and foot percussion, creating intense, joyful and dynamic live performances that expand the bounds of tradition in striking global directions.
Since forming back in 2002, the group has enjoyed meteoric success, performing well over 1,800 concerts over five continents and racking up several prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros, two Junos (Canada’s Grammys), a Félix at ADISQ, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and Artist of the Year at the North American Folk Alliance.
A highlight of the 2012 Orkney Folk Festival, Le Vent du Nord return in their newly expanded formation - with fiddler André Brunet (Celtic Fiddle Festival, La Bottine Souriante) now part of the legendary ensemble, joining his brother Réjean Brunet, and Simon Beaudry, Nicolas Boulerice, Olivier Demers.