Aleksi Campagne has won the 2026 edition of Ma première Place des Arts, a contest presented by the Société pour l’avancement de la chanson d’expression française (SACEF), the finals of which took place on Jan. 22, 2026, at La Cinquième salle of Place des Arts. The event was hosted by Olivier Robillard Laveaux for the ninth consecutive year.
An indie-folk fiddler and singer from Longueuil, Aleksi Campagne stood out, with a distinctive artistic vision that blends tradition and modernity. The son of Hart Rouge’s Paul Campagne, he studied under jazz violinist Didier Lockwood in Paris. He combines heartfelt songwriting with a powerful voice, crafting an original sound through his creative use of effects pedals. His debut album, Sans rien donner, earned him the Francophone Songwriter of the Year award at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
The evening also showcased the contrasting worlds of the other finalists: the raw authenticity of Désolée Sarah, the confident stage presence of Florence Breton, and the soft touch of Vaillance. Special guest Alexandre Désilets delivered a unique performance, during which he played songs from his Je rêve en couleur EP, released in October 2025, that had never before been performed live.
The jury for this 32nd edition included (from left to right in the photo) Gus Boilard (9e Vague); Larissa Souline (public relations); Gaby Gauthier-Durand (SOCAN); Joëlle Robillard (Musique Nomade); and David Laferrière (Théâtre Outremont).
As the winner, Campagne receives the Prix Distinction from the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture ($5,000); the Stingray Rising Stars Award ($3,000); the Hydro-Québec Song of the Year Award ($3,000); as well as an invitation to perform at the Francos de Montréal in the summer of 2026.
Among the other prizes offered, Florence Breton received the Prix de l’Équipe Nat Corbeil, which includes province-wide radio tracking. All four finalists –Campagne, Breton, Désolée Sarah, and Vaillance – were awarded a creative residency at Studio B-12, alongside Claudia Thom and Vert Olive. In addition, they get priority access to the auditions for the 2026 Festival international de la chanson de Granby, as well as full accreditation for the 2026 edition of Coup de cœur francophone.
Finally, all participants benefit from professional support, thanks to contributions from Juripop (lifetime membership and legal consultation), SPACQ-AE (annual membership), and several other partners who awarded prizes during the semi-finals, including Long & McQuade, Amplitude Distribution, LOJIQ-OFQJ, the Quartier des spectacles, the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac, the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée, and Station Clip.
SOCAN congratulates Aleksi Campagne, as well as all the contestants of Ma première Place des Arts.