It’s not every day you get to see such a well-known artist in such an intimate setting. Last Thursday, Montreal’s own Coeur de Pirate, who is used to playing arenas, came home to give a private, secret concert for 100 or so of her local fans.

She was invited by Google who are launching their new Play music app (to compete with iTunes and other platforms) and plan to make a portion of this show available in the new year. When we walked into the Redroof Church (downtown in the Quartier de Spectacles), we were greeted by Google staff who let us sample Play.

After that, we took advantage of the open bar and sat around a 360 degree stage with the instruments set up, waiting for the show to start. Around 8:30, Coeur took to the stage.

Her set was bilingual. She played a mix of songs the crowd knew like Francis and her closer Comme des enfants, but also some new material, including a song called The Way Back Home. In probably the most emotional point of the evening, she dedicated that song to her daughter, explaining how hard it is to leave her two year old at home when she goes on tour.

She also covered the Wham. In particular the song Last Christmas, which got the crowd to sing along. One of the funnest parts of the evening.

Here are some pics of the show and the night (click on the first one to start slideshow):

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The lovely Béatrice Martin played a solo show at the Great Hall on Thursday night as part of NXNE.  In this stripped-down version of what you hear on Blonde, her latest album, the young songstress played piano and sang her beautifully woven melodies for a large and appreciative crowd. Performed in a manner reminiscent of her debut album that featured minimal musical additions, she focused instead on the voice and piano.  Pretty impressive turnout for a French-Canadian girl who sings mostly in French!

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Her songs range from love songs to storytelling numbers to a lullaby that her father used to sing to her as a small child.  The chanteuse has helped to bring francophone music to the younger generation.  She has been nominated for, and won, several awards already in her career including Junos, Félix Awards, Victoires de la Musique and Canadian Independent Music Awards.  It’s no surprise why.  Her talent radiates both in her recorded work and on stage.

Watch “Adieu” as a piano-only version here:

*Photos by Celia Moase. See our NXNE 2013 album on Facebook for more photos.