Fête de la Musique
Extraordinary Experiences #11
“Music is life, it’s our heartbeat, our sound. It’s what’s in our soul.”
- Andre 3000
Every year on June 21st, as the summer solstice fades, Paris undergoes a magical transformation. Streets, parks, and public spaces burst with free concerts, as musicians of all genres fill the city with sound. Born in 1982 as a simple idea to celebrate music in all its forms and make it accessible to everyone, the Fête de la Musique has now evolved into an experience you don’t just hear but feel in your soul.
For the 3 years I lived in the city, the vibe of the Fête was something I could never quite put into words, nor capture on even the smartest of phones. There’s a certain magic to it; people flowing in and out of cafés, dancing with strangers, getting swept up by Latin American rhythms on Rue de la Fontaine-au-Roi, or losing themselves at hip-hop block parties on Rue Alphonse Baudin. The concerts go on all night, and the energy is electric.
Immerse yourself in music and history at Église Saint-Eustache at Les Halles, where a 36-hour marathon of free concerts takes place inside this stunning 15th-century Gothic cathedral. And if jazz is your thing, swing by the Sunset Sunside Club, where pros and amateurs alike pay tribute to legends like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.
Herbie Hancock says that jazz is about being in the moment, and just like the music itself is the art of improvisation, your approach to the city on this night should be the same; wander anywhere, and you might stumble upon a soul-stirring, life-affirming experience.
There’s so much more to say about the surreal charm of Fête de la Musique, but I must now catch a train back to reality, where for now, music through my headphones will have to suffice.
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Fête de la Musique
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