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
© DR f Le festival Nice Jazz Fest ! est de retour. Au programme, quatre soirées avec six concerts chacune. Ci-contre, le rappeur américain Nas qui se produira le 20 août.
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
© Mathieu Cesar
Au programme, une soirée lyrique avec les élèves de Lorraine Nubar.
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.
L'artiste américain Lenny Kravitz. © Mark Seliger
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
Le chef d’orchestre Riccardo Muti.© Silvia lelli - Courtesy of riccardomutimusic.com
Le pianiste Sophiane Pamart.© Romain Garcin
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
Le phénomène de la chanson française Christophe Maé.© Fabien Vieilletoile
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