A Fan's Determined Quest to See Richard Desjardins Live
Josiane secures a concert ticket through persistence and unexpected employment at the venue.
1The Devoted Fan
Josiane is a dynamic individual from Lac-Saint-Jean with a profound passion for the music of Richard Desjardins. Her dedication is so intense that she knows his entire lyrical catalog by heart, a feat she considers an Olympic-level achievement. For her, seeing the iconic poet perform live is an essential life goal.
2The Rare Opportunity
In June 2026, excitement peaked when two shows were announced at Club Soda, marking Desjardins' return to the venue after thirty-five years. Having not performed in Montreal since 2013, the anticipation among fans was immense. The announcement triggered a digital frenzy as thousands scrambled to secure tickets for the legendary event.
3Digital Queue Frustration
When the virtual ticket window opened, Josiane attempted to purchase seats online. Despite receiving a promising queue number of 63, the system abruptly displayed a sold-out message before she could complete the transaction. This setback did not deter her; she immediately began exploring alternative methods to gain entry to the concert.
4Leveraging Professional Networks
Josiane utilized her extensive professional background in the hospitality and entertainment sectors to find a way in. She contacted musicians and industry acquaintances, but tickets were unavailable. Recognizing that traditional channels were exhausted, she pivoted to a more creative strategy: applying for a staff position directly at the Club Soda venue.
5Securing Venue Employment
Drawing on her previous experience at the renowned Cabane du Pied de Cochon, Josiane successfully convinced the management at Club Soda to hire her. She completed her training in mid-October, hoping that working at the venue would grant her access to the concert. Her plan seemed perfect until a scheduling conflict arose.
6The Unexpected Obstacle
Shortly before the shows, the manager informed Josiane that all regular staff were scheduled to work the Desjardins concerts. As a new hire, she was placed on leave for those specific dates, effectively barring her from the venue. Despite this crushing disappointment, she remained committed to her shift duties at the club.
7A Stroke of Luck
Fate intervened just days before the performance when a regular employee reported an inability to work. The venue management contacted Josiane to fill the vacancy, offering her the exact shift she had desperately sought. She accepted the opportunity immediately, finally securing her presence at the long-awaited concert through sheer persistent effort.
8The Final Outcome
On Friday, November 6, 2026, Josiane finally achieved her goal of watching Richard Desjardins perform at Club Soda. Her journey highlights the lengths to which dedicated fans will go to experience live music. By combining professional adaptability with unwavering personal resolve, she successfully navigated a difficult ticketing situation to reach her objective.
Original article: La Presse — A Fan's Determined Quest to See Richard Desjardins Live