Singer and Mozaïq leader Jacques-Olivier Moffatt was presented with the SOCAN Best Song Award and a $1,000 cash prize during the finals of the seventh annual Festi Rock de Richmond, held March 5-8 in the heart of the Eastern Townships. Jacques-Olivier – brother of the famous Quebec artist Ariane Moffatt – mixes rock, ska and reggae styles, and was honoured for his song "Dans ma zone." The SOCAN Best Song Award jury included one of the festival's 2008 spokespersons, Longue Distance singer and songwriter Michel Loranger, as well as the singer-songwriter Louis-Philippe Hébert and the teacher and Centre d'Art de Richmond board chair Solange Pageau.

A large crowd of enthusiastic supporters braved a snowstorm on March 8 to attend the gala event of this year's Festi Rock, a province-wide showcase for new Quebec rock talent. The festival's top winner was the Montreal band Chapeaumelon, selected for the musicians' flawless presentation, their easy onstage presence and their creative maturity. For more details on the 2008 event, please visit the Festi Rock site.