Latest news with #AbdalMalik
France 24
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- France 24
What is Fête de La Musique, France's annual solstice celebration?
The Summer Solstice of June 21— the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere — also heralds France's beloved music festival, the Fête de la Musique, which is marking its 44th year. Amid the heat, streets, bars, restaurants, gardens, museums and even libraries across France will host thousands of concerts for one night only. From classical to techno to jazz and rap, the line-up features a mix of renowned artists and bands, including La Femme, Romain Pissenem, Major Lazer Sound System, and Abd al Malik — some of the many artists that will perform at the Olympic Cauldron, which will be re-lit for the first time since the Olympic Games. In every corner of the city, artists from around the globe — from Brazil to Cambodia — will be present, bringing music for every taste. Alongside these headliners, amateurs and street performers from across the country will also take the stage. Many of the events are organised by town halls as well as by local associations, shops, schools and neighbourhood cafés. The full lineup for concerts in Paris can be found here while the full lineup for all of France is available on the government website. Millions have attended in previous years, with some traveling from outside of France to join the festivities. This year, Beyoncé will also be performing for three days over the weekend at the Stade de France, attracting even more music lovers to Paris. Social media, especially TikTok, is buzzing with foreigners, mostly British, eager to join the celebration. Many are sharing tips on how to celebrate the event and even practicing their French. The Paris transport system will offer a special 'Fête de la Musique' pass for €4.20 which provides unlimited access to all public transportation (except to airports) from 5pm on June 21 until 7am on June 22. The fête this year fortuitously falls on a weekend – the next Summer Solstice to take place on a Saturday will be in 2031— but is also expected to coincide with a heatwave that could see Paris temperatures soar to around 35°C (95°F). Musical origins Former minister of culture Jack Lang launched the first Fête de la Musique in 1982. A ministry survey conducted that year found that around 5 million French citizens played an instrument — including half of all young people. Lang decided to create this free festival as a way to break down the barriers between amateur and professional musicians. The idea of the free festival was to be open to all music, 'without hierarchy of genres or practices'. Some credit Joel Cohen, an American musician working at France Musique public radio, as the originator of the idea of a musical solstice. In 1976 Cohen launched the 'Saturnales de La Musique', a special broadcast to celebrate the solstices on June 21 and December 21 with music. The European Year of Music in 1985 set its sights on exporting the celebration abroad, and by 1997 a charter on 'La Fête Européenne de la Musique' was signed in Budapest. Thousands of cities around the world now celebrate Fête de la Musique, which means 'Music Party' in French but is also a play on words since 'Faites de la musique' — meaning 'to make music' — is pronounced the same way. Organisers underscore that the event is "for all music and all audiences without any lucrative purposes".
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is Fête de La Musique, France's annual solstice celebration?
When the Summer Solstice arrives on Saturday, millions of people across France will attend the impromptu street concerts of 'Fête de La Musique' hosted by restaurants, bars, museums and even libraries — a French summer tradition for more than 40 years now. The Summer Solstice of June 21— the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere — also heralds France's beloved music festival, the Fête de la Musique, which is marking its 44th year. Amid the heat, streets, bars, restaurants, gardens, museums and even libraries across France will host thousands of concerts for one night only. From classical to techno to jazz and rap, the line-up features a mix of renowned artists and bands, including La Femme, Romain Pissenem, Major Lazer Sound System, and Abd al Malik — some of the many artists that will perform at the Olympic Cauldron, which will be re-lit for the first time since the Olympic Games. Read moreA year after Olympics, Paris to party like it's 2024 In every corner of the city, artists from around the globe — from Brazil to Cambodia — will be present, bringing music for every taste. Millions have attended in previous years, with some traveling from outside of France to join the festivities. Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:'Nuit Blanche': Art after dark in Paris's beloved all-night festivalChallenging the cowboy myth: Paris show revisits Richard Avedon's iconic 'In the American West'
