If you're familiar with the French festivals, then you know that Solidays is one of the most expected music festivals of the year.
If you're not, then you have to know that Solidays is a very special festival, committed in fighting AIDS but also supporting many other associations, all gathered in the “Village Solidaire”. Every benefit is actually dedicated to AIDS funds. Solidays is the perfect place where awareness is being raised, while listening to really good music. This year 16th edition was dedicated to the late Nelson Mandela and featured artists like Woodkid, Breton, James Vincent McMorrow, We Were Evergreen, Franz Ferdinand, Metronomy, La Femme...
I only went on Friday with some friends, but let me tell you: my muscles still ache from all the energy I gave up that day.
We arrived just in time to catch few conferences given at the Forum Café, which was opened by Bill Gates. By the time four o’clock struck, we met a friend at the Green Room stage where the finest of electro was played by the Tsugi Crew – i.e. DJs of one of the leading French music magazine specialized in electro.
Dancing on electro vibes in the middle of the afternoon seems quite surreal, right? Well, don’t tell that to festival-goers.
We only slowed down to drop by the Domino Stage to enjoy James Vincent McMorrow's sweet voice and lovely songs. Regarding the crowd packed under the circus tent, he was highly expected. No need to say that we weren't disappointed by his live performance, as his voice is near to perfection.
In the mean time, people already camped under the Dôme waiting for Breton. We managed to sneak in front of the stage, and this was quite the perfect spot to feel all the energy unleashed by the band. The crowd was highly receptive to their post-punk-meets-electro-pop energy. At the end of their set, we urged to catch the rest of Chinese Man's set. The French hip-hop collective was celebrating the 10th anniversary of their label, Chinese Man Records, and we all danced to their post-dubstep beats, jazzy influences, reggae vocals and unbelievable rap flow.
At 9p.m., it was now time to refuel our batteries and eat something. If you ever wanted to go on a world culinary trip, then Solidays is the place to be. We wanted to eat falafels but we never thought we would have to deliberate between Lebanese or Israeli falafels…
We finished just in time to join the immensely huge crowd waiting for -M- in front of the Paris stage. Mathieu Chedid, better known under his stage name -M-, is what we commonly refer to as a “bête de scène” in French. No need to say that he blew the festival-goers' mind with his incredible energy, guitar skills, and charming voice. His set featured old classics, such as "Onde Sensuelle", and rock-anthem from the last album Îl, like "Mojo". It was quite magical as the sun was setting down to his music.
Later, we had to face another dilemma. On the one hand, we had Fauve rocking the Bagatelle stage. Fauve is a French mysterious collective writing catharsis songs about the grim every-day-life. They have been scheduled to numerous festivals across Europe. On the other hand, we had Disiz defending French hip-hop on the Dôme stage. Finally we democratically chose Disiz and his hopeful rap. It was a wise decision as his set was very generous, joyful and ecstatic. We all dance ridiculously - yet proudly - on "Autodance", sung along the chorus from "Mon Amour".
While some of us went to see Shaka Ponk, we finally joined at the end of the night to dance to Pfel - one quarter from C2C. Between hip-hop beats to techno, there were tracks for everyone. Finally our night ended up on C2C's song "Happy".
"You never feel happy, no you won't, until you try."
Well I guess we tried too hard, then...
If you want to know what Happinness looks like, check out the photos Margaux Charlie took.
Stay up to date.
New music and exclusive updates in your inbox weekly.
Mugs, t-shirts,
hoodies, vinyls & more.
