“ Music is rarely mentioned but it is an integral part of street arts. It is a bit of a poor relation, even though it is what gives an extra soul to the shows, and more generally to the festival,” says Tiphaine Giry, the festival director. At Fest’arts, it has always had a special place, whether in the programming or during the concerts that conclude the day each evening. “It’s historic,” emphasizes Tiphaine Giry, who, this year again, is giving pride of place to musicians.
“ Music is rarely mentioned but it is an integral part of street arts. It is a bit of a poor relation, even though it is what gives an extra soul to the shows, and more generally to the festival,” says Tiphaine Giry, the festival director. At Fest’arts, it has always had a special place, whether in the programming or during the concerts that conclude the day each evening. “It’s historic,” emphasizes Tiphaine Giry, who, this year again, is giving pride of place to musicians.
A fanfare between hip-hop and jazz
Trumpet, saxophone, tuba, percussion and… a scratchophone. The Jazz Combo Box is a unique brass band in the world. It is the only brass band that performs alongside a DJ, thanks to this portable instrument. Enough to bring a contemporary touch to jazzy sounds. Brieuc Bestel has been on the decks since 2008. “In brass bands, you have to find originality. And for us, the scratchophone is the cherry on the cake.” Since then, the group has traveled the globe. Brazil, Vietnam, the United States…
“It’s good to hear these hip-hop influences. It’s street music, it goes logically with street art.”
This week, the band is stopping off in Libourne with its “Scratch de rue” show. It wanders the streets several times a day, inviting passers-by. If you hear, in the distance, brass instruments dueling with hip-hop scratches, you’re in the right place. This afternoon, the Jazz Combo Box is going down Rue Gambetta, with a crowd of all ages following. It follows closely behind the band, marching to its rhythm.
Amandine, in her thirties, finds the combination original. “It’s true that this mix works rather well.” The show is participatory. Festival-goers are invited to hum the melody during certain songs. All with a pinch of humor from the musicians. “Over there, it’s very good! Over here, yeah, whatever…” Julien, a young rap fan, appreciates this initiative. “It’s good to hear these hip-hop influences. It’s street music, it logically goes with street art.”
Heavenly Drums
“Mobile-man”, from the Cie Express Trance claims to be “the world’s first celestial art mobile.” Created in 1991, this spectacular machine capable of rising to a height of 50 meters was quickly spotted. “We were asked to perform at the opening ceremony of the 1992 Olympic Games, which gave us great visibility,” says Éléonore Guillemaud, co-artistic director of this troupe from the Drôme Valley. Since then, this show, a sort of parody of tin soldiers, has toured all over the world: from Russia to Australia, from the United States to Asia.
“At first, we started on the ground, then in street arts, it’s sometimes difficult to see. So we started playing by climbing on benches, trash cans and sometimes even in trees… Then the idea of building a mobile came up,” says the artistic director. Two formats now exist: one 100% on the ground, and the one visible in Libourne which will consist of a stroll on the ground, just to really stir up the audience with rather swinging, rather mixed sounds, before taking off into the skies. A troupe of seven drummers and a simpleton equipped with cymbals because he is as incapable of marching in step as he is of learning to play the drum. Except that in the air, it will take on a completely different dimension…
“The idea is to revisit in our own way great disco hymns that have become timeless and that remind everyone of a party, a wedding, an evening…”
A birthday as disco as it is rock’n’roll
Generik Steam is celebrating its 40th anniversary! The company has decided to stop, but not without celebrating this anniversary with music at Fest’arts. “This festival is a bit like our family,” confides Pierre Berthelot, one of the founders. For the occasion, the company will host the last evening with Ta Mémé cowboy, a group created two years ago by the musicians of Générik. Rock and live music has always been part of the troupe’s creations, with original compositions to boot. These are the ones that festival-goers will be able to hear on Saturday evening in a tribute medley. This will be followed by a disco ball with an equally rock spirit by Ta Mémé cowboy. “We play on the tone of humor and irony. The idea is to revisit in our own way great disco anthems that have become timeless and that remind everyone of a party, a wedding, a party…” Enough to spread Saturday night fever among festival-goers…
Useful information
Jazz combo box. Friday, August 9, 11 a.m. at Parc de l’Épinette, 1 p.m. Madison parking lot, 6:30 p.m. François-Mitterrand esplanade.
Transe Express Company. Friday 9 and Saturday 10 August at 10:30 p.m. on the quays.
Steam Generic. Saturday, August 10, at 11 p.m. at La Centrale.