Vibrations estivales

Jazz, classical, electro, world and contemporary: the Riviera music scene sets the beat for summer, from Monaco to Saint-Trop’. And festivals are the highlight of the season.

By Tanja Stojanov

Nice Jazz Fest !

À la croisée du jazz et des musiques actuelles

As the oldest jazz festival in the world, the Nice Jazz Festival now has a nickname. Its mood? A mix of jazz past and present with the sounds of today. “Jazz is everywhere, it slips into samples, rhythms, groups, it’s the inspiration for all contemporary music”, says Sébastien Vidal, artistic director, who is welcoming a big name in US rap – Nas – for the first date on his world tour. As well as 24 concerts, the experience village is hosting events by the Nice Jazz Comédie Club. Bonus time: there’s also a kids’ club.

Nas, Jungle, Phoenix, Yamê, Omah Lay, Thee Sacred Souls, Mulatu Asatke, Kenny Garrett, Léon Phal, Jordan Rakei, Yannis & The Yaw, Stella Cole, Alfredo Rodriguez, Stella Cole, Theo Croker…

Du 20 au 23 août. nicejazzfestival.fr

Crossover Nice

Ondes électro

Crossover has been partying for 15 years, and the festival certainly has its favourites, like DJ Vladimir Cauchemar, who returns to pump up this anniversary edition with his electro beats. The live event sets the pace over two days at the Théâtre de Verdure with old favourites and new creations, but that’s not all. Crossover hot spots then move waterside on 6 September to the beach of the Hôtel Amour for a fringe day, then to 109 on 7 and 8 September. The festival brings its legendary energy wherever it goes.

Acid Arab, I hate models, La Fève, Oden & Fatzo, Vladimir Cauchemar, Zamdane, Elise Massoni, Lebongü, Miki, Roni B2B Lisa More, Venga…

Du 4 au 8 septembre. festival-crossover.com

Nice Classic Festival

Musique de chambre à ciel ouvert

The cloister of the Cimiez Monastery is already magical, and the festival brings new life to the auditorium in the neighbouring Musée Matisse. Mainly chamber music, the seventh edition of the festival opens itself to music from the silver screen, including works by Vladimir Kosma. “We are also celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the death of Gabriel Fauré, with his sumptuous Violin Sonata No.1, as well as his Quintet No.1, probably one of his most beautiful works,” smiles Marie-Josèphe Jude. Concerts at the cloister are even more enjoyable because audience members can sample specialities from Nice and local wines.

Pierre Génisson, Stéphanie-Marie Degand, Grażyna Bacewicz, Solistes de Lausanne, Xavier Phillips, Les élèves de Lorraine Nubar, Bob Mintzer, Pierre Bertrand

Du 18 juillet au 11 août. niceclassiclive.com

Festival de musique de Menton

Nuits classiques

This is a wonderful setting. For 75 years, the festival has attracted the finest classical performers to its mountain home in front of the Saint-Michel Archange Basilica. One such musician is Renaud Capuçon, who returns to the festival this year and is playing a handful of fringe concerts elsewhere in town.

Alexandre Tharaud, Aurélie Beck, Lucie Horsch, Fazil Say, Olivia Gay, Smoking Joséphine, Jonathan Fournel, Beatrice Rana, Alexandre Dovgan, Nelson Goerner, Renaud Capuçon, Guillaume Bellom.

Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival

Pluie de stars en Principauté

For its very international audience, the festival combines prestige with stars past and present on its two stages, between the historic gold of the Salle Garnier and the hyper-modern open-air roof of the Salle des Etoiles. The festival also includes the traditional Fight Aids evening, which this year features hits from the 80’s, and the Monaco Red Cross Gala, with the return of hurricane Jamiroquaï.

Stars 80, Sam Smith, Diana Krall, Jamiroquaî, Duran Duran, 

Trevor Noah, Myriam Fares, Il Volo, Jorja Smith, Lenny Kravitz.

Du 6 juillet au 16 août. montecarlosbm.com

Concerts d’été au Palais princier de Monaco

Le classique sous les feux de la rampe

There is a majestic gravity to these classical concerts, which are performed under the double helix staircase in the Palace’s Court of Honour. Expect to hear music by big-name composers as well as works by lesser-known talents. On two evenings this year, the festival welcomes Italian maestro Riccardo Muti. 

Nikolaï Lugansky, Alexandre Kantorow, María Dueñas, James Gaffigan, Cristian Măcelaru, Petr Popelka, Stanislav Kochanovsky, Mao Fujita, Kazuki Yamada, Simon Trpčeski

Du 11 juillet au 8 août. opmc.mc

Jazz à Juan

Un rendez-vous mythique

This festival has been bringing talent to the Riviera since 1960. The greatest voices and personalities in jazz have performed here one after the other: just take a second look at the poster for this sixty-third edition: the alluring Selah Sue, the virtuoso Sofiane Pamart and Avishai Cohen with his Banda “Iroko”. The festival flies the flag for freedom, becoming a playground for Jammin’ Summer Sessions on two neighbouring stages, hosting 18 concerts by the next generation of European jazz. Outstanding!

Manu Katché, Toto, Laufey, Selah Sue, Youssou N’Dour, El Comite, Avishai Cohen Banda Iroko, Adi Oasis, Pink Martini, Chris Potter, Li Xiaochuan, Sofiane Pamart, Kool & The Gang, Marcus Miller.

Du 8 au 18 juillet. jazzajuan.com

Nuits du Sud, Vence

Têtes d'affiche et talents émergents

“There are many new artists on the programme, which continues the leitmotiv for Nuits du Sud: a wonderful diversity of styles and aesthetics,” smiles artistic director Matthieu Ducos. The festival certainly has a unique atmosphere. Its stage is set up on the restaurant-lined village square, and guests wait impatiently for Christophe Maé and other long-time performers such as Fatoumata Diawara, or young artists like the very popular Franco-Brazilian Luiza.

La Dame Blanche, Caravan Palace, Raphaël, Fatoumata Diawar, Hollie Cook, Julian Marely, Luiza, Christophe Maé, João Selva, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Synapson, Cerrone

Du 4 au 13 juillet. nuitsdusud.com

Plages électroniques, Cannes

Trois jours de fête XXL 

There is a change of scenery for Plages électro with a new space at the Rotonde for 4,500 people. The evening event throbs from 5 p.m. to midnight and includes the usual stage on the terrace where guests can hear ultra-edgy techno, and the beach stage where the headliners perform. Alongside regulars like the powerful German DJ Paul Kalkbrenner and the Riviera native Boris Way, the darlings of this new vintage include The Avener who comes from Nice. The show lasts over three hours, so get ready for some serious partying.

Boris Brejcha, Fisher, Gazo, Kaytranada, Lost Frequencies, Paul Kalkbrenner, SCH, Timmy Trumpet, Adèle Castillon, Alex Wann, Apashe, Bon Entendeur, Boris Way, Creeds, Feder…

Du 16 au 18 août. plages-electroniques.com

Les Nuits du Château de la Moutte, Saint-Tropez

Rencontre des arts autour de la musique

What’s the theme for the festival? Timeless evenings in the castle’s palm grove, enjoying fine performances by artists of all styles: classical, baroque, as well as musical theatre, flamenco and samba. These are some high-level performances, and music workshops are available for children.

Thomas Fersen, William Christie, Manu Katché, Nelson Goerner, Gautier Capuçon, Renaud Capuçon, Laurence Ferrari & Friends.

Du 28 juillet au 13 août

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