For the fourth year, Patrick Watson presents his festival Live at Lost River in Wentworth-Nord, offering once again a unique and deeply immersive musical experience in the heart of the forest.
From the very start, the attention to detail is striking. After a short bus ride from the parking lot to the secret location, participants are welcomed with a cocktail by Monna & Filles, renowned for their blackcurrant wines and spirits. Dinner is a highlight, a generous vegan feast, enjoyed either at beautifully decorated tables or on picnic blankets scattered across the grounds. True to its values, the festival is proudly zero waste; every drink and meal is served in reusable dishes.
As dusk settled, the first act, La Force, opened the evening with an intimate performance. Her cover of Paloma was especially moving, a perfect introduction to what would become a night of music and magic. She was followed by November Ultra, performing on a stage nestled in the middle of a tall grass field, the setting sun painting the horizon behind her. The scene was breathtaking, yet it was truly her voice, soft and delicate, almost otherworldly, that transformed the moment into pure magic.
Participants are then guided along a lighted path winding through the woods toward the main stage. Along the way, musicians appear among the trees, their performances accompanied by lights and projections that transform the forest into a living stage. Even the transitions between each of the stages feel enchanted, each step revealing something new. As we entered the final stretch of the walk, the Montreal-based immersive experience company Moment Factory illuminated the forest with what looked like a billion twinkling lights. Through the haze of fog and lights, we arrived at the main stage where Patrick Watson delivered yet another magical performance, inviting the artists we had seen through the night to join him on stage. He closed the night with Here Comes the River, a cute clin d’oeil to the name of the festival. When the music faded, the 400 participants walked back through the glowing forest, greeted at the end by volunteers offering tea and coffee before the return bus ride. The walk itself was as magical as the shows, a perfect echo of the night’s wonder.
What makes Live at Lost River so special is its atmosphere. The entire event feels less like a traditional festival and more like being welcomed into the backyard of a friend, warm and personal. The sound is flawless on every stage, blending seamlessly with the natural soundtrack of crickets and the whisper of wind through the trees.
Whether under clear skies or pouring rain, the experience remains unforgettable. With four nights of the same stellar lineup, each participant has the chance to experience something truly unique. Once again, Patrick Watson proves himself a master of ambiance. For its upcoming fifth anniversary, expectations are high. Live at Lost River next year is not to be missed!
Review – Sabrina Lecompte
Photos – Mell Martella
