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Give me 5 – live music events for summer 2011
Les Estivales de Perpignan This is a massive annual event in Perpignan’s calendar. Throughout July live music and arts events take place in the huge cloister behind Perpignan’s cathedral. I’m lucky enough to live a stone’s throw away and in the past have enjoyed listening to the likes of Air, Bob Dylan and Vanessa Paradis from the comfort of a hammock in my garden! This year’s programme lacks a big household name but includes some very diverse and interesting acts including Latin music from Afrocubism, led by Eliades Ochoa of Buena Vista Social Club fame, human circus, Psy, and rap trio, I AM, from Marseilles. Click on the link above for the full programme of events. Les Jeudis de Perpignan Throughout July and August Thursday nights in Perpignan host a street festival throughout town, with live music, street art and theatre taking place at various venues in the old city centre. Exciting, diverse and unpredictable, the town really kicks arse on Thursdays with a family-friendly carnival atmosphere. Take a seat in one of the cafés in the Place de la République and watch what unfolds around you – it could be anything from clowns on stilts to a 15 piece jazz band. Diversity is the name of the game. And it’s free! Carcassonne festival
There can be few more beautiful places in France to watch a concert than from inside Carcassonne’s city walls – an evocative mix of 21st century entertainment in medieval surroundings. I saw the wonderful George Benson here a couple of years ago and the atmosphere was brilliant with an up-for-it crowd dancing the night away. This year, there seems to be even more acts performing than usual in a wide variety of genres from theatre and circus to classical music and dance. Check out contemporary French musicians such as local boy, Cali (he was born in Perpignan, fact fans) and Christophe Maé. Whatever decade floats your boat musically, you’re bound to find something you like. Take a trip back to the sixties with The Beach Boys, the seventies with Supertramp or the (late) eighties with Texas. Other notable names include Julian Perretta, Tom Jones, Moby, Iggy Pop and Bryan Ferry. Les Deferlantes in Argelès sur Mer
This local music festival seems to go from strength to strength. The organisers' biggest coup this year are the final night headliners Arcade Fire, who have had a number 1 album on both sides of the Atlantic and played London’s O2 and Madison Square Gardens! Headlining the other two nights – crazy bearded rockers, ZZ Top and 80s legend, Joe Cocker. Other acts include Morcheeba, Cali and Julian Perretta. The festival takes place in the grounds of beautiful Château Valmy. Refreshments can be purchased at the venue – no drinks except small bottles are water are allowed to be taken in. Tickets are from 36 euros for a day pass and 81 euros for a 3 day pass and under 8s go free. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes, and your suncream! Festival Pablo Casals in Prades
If classical music is more your thing then you’ll want to be checking out this chamber music festival, named after the famous Catalan cellist, who made Prades his home when he was exiled from Spain under Franco. The festival celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with a programme of events featuring world famous soloists and groups performing pieces from all the classical greats from Bach to Liszt, whose bicentenary is fêted this year. Events take place in various churches in and around Prades including the beautiful abbey at Saint-Michel de Cuxà and stunning Serrabone Priory. For the first time this year, there will also be a concert at sunrise at the foot of Mount Canigou in the Refuge des Cortalets. Budding musicians can also apply to join masterclasses held by the European Academy of music – see the website for further details.
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