In France, the Solstice is the day of la Fête de la musique. Last year we went to Saintes; this year I tried Jonzac, it being both more local and smaller. They had some excellent bands, but after a few hours it became almost as overpowering as Saintes last year. I went to hear the small orchestra from the music school playing in the square half-way up the hill, but as it was between the rock stage at the top of the street and the samba band at the bottom of the street, the sound was somewhat less than optimal.
I wish the bands had been announced, because one in particular I'd like to hear again. There was another which was also interesting, with a lead singer who demonstrated by vocalises during the sound check that he could sing very well, and then performed in the style of Andrew Eldritch.
The town samba band, though it made a joyful noise, didn't have the choreography of the Brazilian band the other weekend, but they did have very good facepaint. A surprise entry was the Polynesian dance troupe, including a toddler who danced in almost every piece (whether she was supposed to or not, apparently) with an endearing dedication and considerable aptitude.
By the time I left to watch the sunset on the estuary, the whole town was rattling with randomly clashing music, both live and speaker-fed from the cafes, carelessly interspersed. It's lovely as a happy social event but the actual noise makes me feel a bit sick and shaky. Next year I want to get something going in St Dizant du Gua. It's even smaller than Jonzac and perhaps we could make do with one thing at a time!
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