Pierre Karl Pladeau slammed for yelling 'En franais' at music festival

Performerssay Pierre Karl Pladeau was misguided for insisting that a singerat a music festival inRouyn-Norandasing in French.

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The Parti Qubecois leadership candidate made an appearance at Quartiersd'hiver, part of the Emerging Music Festival, which ran from Jan. 29 to 31. The festival featured three bands thatsing in English.

Witnesses reportedPladeau repeatedly yelled out, En franais! as the band Groenland was performing.

CarolineKeating, a singerwho opened forGroenland, said she was backstage whenPladeaumade the comment. When she stepped out into the crowd shortlyafterward, the vibe had changed.

"It was pretty awkward but I wouldnt say it ruined the celebration, Keatingtold CBCs Daybreak Montreal.

Im not a political analyst at all but my impression was he might have thought that that was what the public wanted him to say. But I was delighted to see that that was not the case, and after speaking with people later, on the consensus was that it was totally misplaced."

Groenland'ssingerSabrina Haldeperformed in English, but addressed the crowd in French between songs.

Haldesaid there was a ripple through the crowd as people realized whatPladeau was shouting, but most people didn't agree with him.

She said shes passionate about the French language, but argued she's still entitled to sing in English.

My reaction was, Poor you! Youve chosen the wrong show. Youve got three shows in English,' Halde said.