Annecy was alive with the sound of music last night as France celebrated the 26th edition of the famous « Fête de la Musique » festival. Musicians, solo artists, DJs, bands and groups took to the streets between 20:30 and 01:00 to play live to an animated and lively crowd of locals and international visitors.
In Annecy centre the old town and lakeside areas were packed out with audiences enjoying the eclectic range of musical genres. Stages and makeshift arenas were erected outside restaurants and bars, along the canals and lake sides, even in the local police station. Rap, French folk, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock, pop, house and funk played out on every corner and watchers strolled from band to DJ to group, soaking up the atmosphere, singing along and dancing in the streets.
The festival was launched in 1982 by Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret and was initially intended to be a 30 minute celebration of music and creativity. The first event by far exceeded expectations and June 21st has since become a key date in the French diary. Annecy has really thrown itself into the concept and every year the festival gets bigger, better and more flamboyant.
If you’re a fan of live music and you want to explore some of the local groups that play the live gig circuit then the festival is an excellent way to get to know the bands. Even if you’re in the area for a just few days the Fête de la Musique is most certainly worth the trip to see and hear for yourself - so if you didn’t make it over this year make a note in the diary for 2008.
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