Un Printemps Imaginaire - a festival during lockdown

If there's a festival that usually signals the start of festival season in France, it's Le Printemps de Bourges. But like so many events this year, COVID-19 has meant its inevitable cancellation this year.

It's a key event as it gives many developing acts a significant showcase where they can present new work that's coming later in the year, building reputations and a following in the run-up to a release.

Given the situation, organisers wanted some form of event to take place, obviously in an online environment.

But rather than simply relying on live performances at home, acts were given free rein to create what they wanted for Un Printemps Imaginaire from April 21 to 26.

They ended up with a pretty unique event, with memorable performances from some outstanding artists. No small achievement during the current situation.

Hopefully, other festival organisers are considering their next moves as while there is no playing down the crisis that affects everything at the moment, there are opportunities to create some luminous moments and these are certainly needed more than ever.

Le Printemps de Bourges will hopefully be back to normal next year, but until then here are a few of the acts and performances that we enjoyed:

La Grande Sophie 



Mauvais Oeil


Marie-Flore


Aloise Sauvage 


Jeanne Added performs Prince's Take Me With U


Renan Luce performs a cover of a Barbara song



The finale of the event was -M-, performing a new version of Mojo with Deluxe 

Lamomali: Solidarité

An uplifting new video that features -M- and a cast of thousands is the latest release from the

Lamomali album, a collection that sees him accomplish his ambition of creating an album that celebrates the musical heritage of Mali.

M has been inspired by Mali since he was young, and for this collection that came out earlier this year he's working with some of the biggest names in that country's music, kora player Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté and Fatoumata Diawara. 

The new video features contributions from Nekfeu, Santigold and Youssou N'Dour.

Lamomali are about to release a live album, Lamomali Airlines, in a few days time.

Lamomali have been playing at festivals over the summer, and are just about to undertake a series of live dates at Arenas around France. They've got two shows at the AccorHotels Arena on December 18 and 19.

Matthieu Chedid: Purple Rain at Cannes

A performance at the Cannes festival by Matthieu Chedid saw a tribute to Prince, with a version of Purple Rain by one of the French artists who was most influenced by him.

Chedid's -M- persona could be seen as inspired by the late star, with his playfulness and humour along with his genre-defying take on music, helped by his apparently effortless musical ability.

Of course, Chedid is a very different artist to Prince, but I reckon he took a few of his ideas and made them his own. He'd certainly not be the only artist to do so.

Chedid's been touring with his family, his last solo studion album was 2012's Îl, which he followed with a live album the following year.

He's just recently back in France following a tour of Asia that saw him play in Hong Kong, China, Korea and Japan.



Mathieu Chedid interprète Purple Rain en... by tuxboard

-M- Il(s) release and private concert

The artist known as -M- plays a special concert in Paris tonight at the Bus Palladium venue to mark the release of his new live collection îl(s).

-M- has been touring extensively across France and beyond following the release of his îl album last year, and the new collection, which is both a CD and DVD documents his live show.

His most recent studio collection came out in November last year, and îl has produced hit songs like Mojo and Baia.

However, he's marking the occasion with a special low-key show in the capital, and while tickets might be hard to get, a live streaming of the gig means more people should be able to enjoy the spectacle.

-M- is due to play in Paris in December 12, 13 and 14 at the Palais Omnisport de Paris Bercy.

-M- : Live at the Roundhouse, London

A reminder that this evening sees the French music legend that is -M- taking to the stage in the Roundhouse

in London.

The artist known to his family and friends as Matthieu Chedid, continues to tour supporting his Îl album that was released last year, to both commercial and critical acclaim.

The album included the track Mojo, which gave him a top thirty hit, and also provided one of the most memorable videos of recent years.

The tracks Baïa and Océan have also been released as singles, and he's been touring extensively.

He will also be playing in Paris before the end of the year, with shows at Bercy on December 12, 13 and 14.

Before that, he releases a live album entitled (ÎL)S on November 18.

In the meantime, some lucky people in London get the chance to see one of France's most exciting artists perform live.

-M- : Baïa

A new clip for the track Baïa by -M-, the latest track from his album ÎL to get the promotional treatment.

The video sees Matthieu Chedid in B-movie Technicolor film action, or as it describes itself "A space opera picture in Rockabilly color."

It's certainly a very different proposition to the previous videos from the album, the title track Mojo being one of last year's more memorable clips.

ÎL was released last November, and he's been touring extensively since its release, with more shows at festivals over the summer.

Baïa, with its latin flavour, should easily find some airplay over the summer.

-M- : Océan

A new video for the track Océan from the -M- album Mojo.

It's the second track to be taken from the album as a single, the album originally coming out in November last year.

It's a very different video to the street style of the previous track Mojo. This is by far a more artistic proposition with nods to 1970s style and art house cinema.

Last month saw the release of a new edition of the album Mojo, with extra remixes of the title track by C2C and Willy Moon, and -M- has been playing live extensively, even playing some dates in the UK earlier this month.

There are two dates at the Zénith in Paris in June, as well as gigs at some of France's biggest festivals over the summer.

Victoires de la Musique awards: Best video shortlist

With the Victoires de la Musique awards ceremony taking place tonight, I thought a quick round up of some of the nominated work was in order.

In particular, I thought that a look at the four videos shortlisted for the best clip of the year deserved a closer look.

Some I've featured before, others I've not, but they all certainly give a good snapshot of music videos in France.

We'll find out who wins later tonight.

C2C: FUYA



-M-: Mojo



Olivia Ruiz: My Lomo & Me (Je Photographie Des Gens Heureux)



Shaka Ponk - Let's Bang

-M- : Océan

A new edition of the new -M- album Mojo has appeared, coinciding with this year's Victoires de la Musique awards.

The album was originally released in November last year, and the new special edition features extra remixes of the title track by C2C and Willy Moon.

the release comes out just days ahead of the the Victoires de la Musique awards ceremony, that seems Chedid nominated for best male artist, chanson album of the year and video of the year for the song Mojo. I'm sure he'll pick up at least one of these to add to his already large collection of Victoires awards.

-M- is touring extensively this year across France, with a date in London's Koko next month, followed by dates in Paris. There are other dates around France before a return to Paris in June.

Océan is being promoted as the second single from the album, and this video comes from a session he did for the UK website The Line of Best Fit.

M: Îl

A new release from M, with his sixth full studio album, entitled Îl coming out in France.

The single Mojo was released in September, followed by a video a few weeks later.

The album was recorded in Los Angeles earlier this year.

His last full release was 2009 Mister Mystère, he's been far from idle since with the sountrack for Un monstre à Paris last year and a live album the previous year, not forgetting his collaborative work with Johnny Hallyday on his Jamais Seul collection.

In his career so far, Matthieu Chedid has picked up eight Victoires de la musique awards, along with a César Award for soundtrack work, and it would be no surprise if there are more awards ahead for one of France's most highly regarded and talented contemporary artists.

His live dates in France next year are certainly going to be one of the most anticipated shows of the year.

-M- : Mojo

I previewed this track a few weeks ago, and it's great to see at long last the full video for the -M- track Mojo.

It's a cracking piece of contemporary rock, an edgy sound that's rooted in a great pop song.

It's also catchy as hell, and reminds me a bit of bands like The Hives with their modern take on classic garage rock.

Meanwhile, the video is an instant classic. The dancing and the air guitar are hard to forget once witnessed, and the street locations give it an effortlessly French context.

The song dropped without warning, perhaps this kind of release puts the record companies one step ahead of the illegal downloaders, maybe the element of surprise - especially when it's a great song - gives a release a bit more of an impact.

The album Îl, his sixth, is released on November 10, and -M- is on tour next year

-M- : Mojo

Some new material from -M-, the artist also known as Matthieu Chedid.

The track Mojo surfaced ahead of a new album due out later this year.

While his last full album was 2009's Mister Mystère, he's been far from idle, with last year seeing the release of the Un monstre à Paris soundtrack, the hit single La Seine with Vanessa Paradis and the work with Johnny Hallyday on his Jamais Seul album.

There was also a Victoires de la musique award for Best concert in 2011.

Chedid is a huge figure in the French music scene, and his album is much anticipated not just because of his previous success, but because he seems to be in recent years to be at the top of his game.

The song came out without warning, premiered on Oui FM There's a proper video due out shortly, a few previews have appeared online.

The new album, his sixth, is expected in November. He's also expected to tour in 2013.

Vanessa Paradis and -M- sing La Seine in A Monster in Paris

If there is any contemporary French singer that is well known in the UK, it is Vanessa Paradis, on account of her late 80s/early 90s hits in the UK and her relationship with Johnny Depp.

She features in a new animated movie Un Monstre à Paris (A Monster in Paris), where she stars with Mathieu Chédid, better known as -M- , who also duets in this song, La Seine, from the soundtrack.

The 3D film, which is set in Paris in 1910 tells the story oa young film projectionist who along with inventor Raoul sets off to track down a monster that has been terrorising the city. They team up with Lucille, a cabaret singer, and an eccentric scientist and his monkey to save the monster from the local chief of police.

Others who lend their voices to the film include Matthew Géczy, Eric Judor and Ramzy Bedia.

The English language film also features Vanessa Paradis, but with other names including Catherine O'Hara, Danny Huston, and Adam Goldberg.

I'm not sure how they'll work songs into the English version, but if they miss them out it will be a pity. Be nice if they did an English audience version with the original singers, as it would give -M- a much- deserved higher profile outside the French-speaking (and French-singing) world.

It's a great song and if the English version of the film misses it out it will be much the poorer for it.

The film is directed by Bibo Bergeron, who has previously worked on films like Shark Tales and The Road to El Dorado, as well as Asterix in Britain and Asterix and the Big Fight.

The release of the film has been put back a couple of times, and was originally planned to have been released in April 2010, but is now expected to be released in October.

New: CongopunQ - It's the same old talk

I came across this act while I was writing about the Les Suds a Arles festival, and thought they certainly deserved a mention.

CongopunQ has been around since 2008, inspired by Congotronics, the series of discs released by Crammed Discs featuring acts from Congo Kinshasa like Konono No1, Kasai Allstars and Staff Benda Bilili who mixed traditional African music with an electro groove, a rural African trance sound played out using modern urban means.

CongopunQ consists of Cyril Atef, Berlin-born French drummer and percussionist, working along with Constantin Leu, AKA Monsieur Cong

Atef has worker wide variety of musicians including L’Orchestre national de Barbès, Brigitte Fontaine and Alain Bashung, and has been a long-time collaborator with Mathieu Chedid who is best known by the name -M-

He is also known for his part in the interestingly-named duo Bumcello, which won the 2006 Victoure de la Musique award for best electronic/groove/dance release of the year for their Animal Sophistiqué release.

CongopunQ released their debut album Candy Goddess - described as an 'unidentified musical object'- in November 2008.