Editorial: July 2013

Another good month on the Vive le Roq French music blog.

I managed a record number of posts last month, which is no surprise given the quality and number of releases over the past few weeks.

Again, this was reflected in a pretty healthy number of visitors to the pages. Thanks for dropping by.

I thought I'd take the time to take a look at a couple of interesting things that happened over June.

One obvious one was the Fête de la Musique, which again put music front and centre in France's cultural landscape. If anything I think music - popular music in particular - is somewhat disregarded in France. There could be a huge number of reasons for this.

Perhaps its because the cultural landscape in general is valued more in France, with the result that music is seen as one amidst many strands of culture, while in the UK its seen as particularly vigorous simply due to the lack of public attention given to other forms of art. In short though, it's a remarkably enlightened idea, and one that deserves to be spread further.

Another thing that raised its head this month was the idea of cultural exceptionism with regard to free trade agreements at the G8 summit. The French government were unhappy with the proposition at the G8 conference to agree to free trade in all areas, including cultural, meaning that the French government would be unable to offer financial subsidy to areas such as music and film. Fortunately the French argument prevailed, and the government protection to the creative industries will be maintained.

While in a free market sounds a good idea, trade free from red tape and legislation that allows the consumer to determine the value of the product, the playing field is always tilted in favour of the more powerful player. In the area of culture, especially music and film, that will be the USA. While I have no particular dislike of USA, the world has more to offer than just one voice and a system that maintains, to some extent at least, a cultural plurality is essential.

French cinema might not always be the artistic showcase it's held up as, but the film industry is one in which the reality of making a profit is a far more difficult one that the takings of the latest box office blockbusters might suggest.

The same applies to music. While there are stars, there are many musicians working hard just to earn a living. France is aware, it seems, that it is more than just another market for international acts, and is able to make the case for its own industry at the highest level.

That a government is prepared to stand up internationally and say that its creative industries are important and deserve support and respect is a position that other countries should consider.

Elsewhere there was some good news that Taratata, the TV music show that was to be axed thanks to a decision by France Télévisions is to continue online. The last show in its present format goes out on July 5, but a concert's taking place on October 10 in Paris, which will herald the new era for the show. With terrestrial TV just one more 'platform' in the digital age, fingers crossed that the new online version of the show can thrive.

The show's been at the forefront of online music, so hopefully the new version will continue to thrive.

What would be interesting, of course, would be for some other innovative channel to buy the rights to broadcast the forthcoming internet version of the show. We'll see.

July is now upon us, and I'll be taking a break for a couple of weeks, but hopefully I'll have a few articles written in advance to fill the gap while I'm away from a working wifi connection.

Fête de la Musique in London at the Institut Français

Another belated Fête de la Musique event taking place in the UK today, this time in London at the Institut Français.

In keeping with the spirit of the event, there's a wide range of styles on offer, and the event is free.

The music has been overseen by the French music export office (Bureau Export), with sets by Benoit Carré, Modou Touré, Nogabe Randriaharimalala, Chantage and Odran Trümmel.

Carré is a former member of the band Lilicub who had a hit in France in '96 with the song Voyage en Italie. Since then he's written for the likes of Françoise Hardy and Johnny Hallyday, and pursues a solo career with the release of his first solo album Célibatorium.

Modou Touré from Senegal mixes Afro-blues with pop and folk, Nogabe Randriaharimalala from Madagascar is a former member of China's first rock band, and performs in a trio with two percussionists,

Chantage is a choir from London that has been active since 1999, and Odran Trümmel is a songwriter with a jazzy folk-informed psychedelic pop.

The event gets under way at 5pm at the Institut Français du Royaume-Uni, 17 Queensberry Place, London.

Fête de la Musique

June 21 marks the annual Fête de la Musique in France, with a huge number of events around the country and elsewhere that puts music front and centre of the nation's cultural life.

The idea is that events should be both public and free. Events are intended to be popular and accessible, and although it's a national celebration, it's one that takes place in the community.

For many it's a chance to attend an event without the usual hurdle of ticket price in the way, and at a time when household budgets are tight, an inclusive event like this is something worth celebrating.

The Fête de la Musique has been running since 1982, and this year's theme for the event is the voice, although the day sees music in its every hue, from hip hop to classical, jazz to rock, performed around France. Stages are set in public squares, museums, parks and elsewhere

Although primarily a French celebration, there are event around the world with 100 taking place elsewhere in Europe. A number are taking place in the UK, with shows in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Manchester and Belfast.

In Edinburgh, it is being celebrated at the Institut français d’Ecosse in the city's Randolph Crescent. The show gets under way with singer Rosie Nimmo, with a set combining jazz, folk and blues.

Belgian act La Clinik du Dr Poemback are on next, a brass band with 20 musicians bringing a vibrant take on world music, jazz and techno.

Glasgow band the Beat Poets are next on the bill, the underground legendary act who have brought a surf guitar and primitive rock 'n' roll flavour to the Scottish music scene since 1986.

Headlining are the band
Jack and The’ , a classy indie quartet led by Edinburgh-based French musician Julien Lonchamp. Their sound is a refreshing modern take on classic 60s pop.

The show is free, and with a wide variety of music on offer, there's plenty to enjoy.

Elsewhere in Scotland, La Clinik du Dr Poemback play in Glasgow on Saturday June 22 as part of the Fête de la Musique, with free shows at 1pm in the Botanic Gardens, 3pm on the steps of Kelvingrove Museum, and at 6pm in Ashton Lane.

A secret tonight (video) from Jack and the on Vimeo.

La Fête de la Musique

June 21 is a day that sees music take central place in France's cultural life, with La Fête de la Musique celebrated with events around the country.

The idea is that events should be both pubic and free. Rather than being a festival, the events are intended to be popular and accessible,

This year's theme for the event is Pop is 50 years old, marking the 1962 release of The Beatles first single Love Me Do. The event itself marks its 30th anniversary, the Fête de la Musique initiative being founded by Jack Lang in 1982.

While those in positions of authority like to describe its democatising and intergenerational nature, it is also a huge amount of fun and a real treat for anyone interested in participating or watching music.

France's ministry of culture are paying homage to pop music this year for its enduring impact on musical culture over the past 50 years. while the Beatles didn't make significant inroads to France until a year after their first single, their fourth single She Loves You was their first French hit, their impact was massive.

Not only were their records bought by the French audience, their success led to others taking to the stage, interpreting their work in French and writing beatles-influenced works in French.

This year sees events taking place including a concert at the Palair Royal featuring Buridane, Barbara Calotti, Bertrand Burgalat, 77 Bombay Street and Archimede.

There's little point in listing every event that's taking place across the country, or reciting the names of every act that's on stage. There are just so many taking place that if you're in France you'll find it difficult to avoid a show.

There are shows in public squares, museums, chateaux, parks, stations and hospitals. There are French acts, from legends to young local bands, in every genre from classical to rock via jazz, soul, traditional and world music.

There are phone apps to help you find out what's going on in your area.

Of course, there are many international acts involved in the celebration in France, and events taking place in almost every continent marking the day.

With its inclusive agenda and open minded attitude, La Fête de la Musique is the kind of event that really puts France and French culture in the best possible light.

Fesivals: Fête de la Musique

June 21 is a significant date for French music fans, with the country marking the Fête de la Musique every year on that date.

Originally an initiative by the French ministry of culture, the event has been held every year since 1982, so this year marks its 30th anniversary.

Unlike the more commercial idea of what a music festival constitutes - ie a big event full of big names performing behind a big fence for the benefit of those that payed a big ticket price, the idea behind the Fête de la Musique is to make music accessible to everyone for free.

Performances take place in open areas like parks, museums and train stations, featuring musical events outwith their usual confines so that the public get a chance to experience sounds that they might not normally hear, by amateur or professional acts, well known or far from famous.

Young musicians get the chance to work with more established acts, performers get the chance to widen their audiences and showcase their skills and the public get a free cultural event on their doorstep. It's certainly something of a virtuous circle.

There are literally thousands of event taking place around France, including choirs, orchestras and bands, as well as more commercial rock and pop events.

This year sees iPhone and android apps available so that smart phone users can keep track of event taking place in their area.

Events are now held around the world to mark the occasion, with French cultural organisations promoting local events. We are some way from it being a well-known event in the UK, but we are gradually getting there, with events being held by organisations like the Alliance Francaise in Glasgow and the Institut Français d'Ecosse in Edinburgh as well as by the Institut Français in London.

Of course, not everyone has access to an event, in which case they should report to TV5 Monde's coverage on Tuesday night, with four hours of coverage from the Taratata programme at the place des Palais in Brussels featuring Colonel Reyel, Julien Doré, Nolwenn Leroy, Ziggy Marley, Yael Naim, Yannick Noah, Sexion d'Assaut, Martin Solveig, Stromaë and many others.

While every day on this blog is a celebration of French music, if you ever need an excuse to listen to some new music, today is certainly the day for it.