Angoulême, capital city of world music

The Musiques métisses festival of Angoulême is an oddity in the French festival landscape. It focuses the lightspots on musical diversity from Southern countries. The 40^th edition will be held on May 22^nd to 24^th and stars famous artists.

A festival committed to musical renewal

The Festival des Musiques métisses of Angoulême aims at paying a tribute to musical diversity from all over the world. When it was created back in 1975, it was a pioneer festival due to its programming: it was the first to broadcast music from overseas and Latin America in France. Some forty years later, the event stays true to its early commitments: more than ever, it creates a dialogue between cultures.

In the Festival des Musiques métisses, music from distant lands echoes in France: Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, etc. New technologies renew traditional melodies. Musical styles mix in a unique style. The festival features artists who are famous in their country of origin, but hardly known in France. They play next to musicians from France inspired by these exotic melodies. The Festival des Musiques métisses looks to renew the French musical landscape and tries to offer a programming different from the main European festivals.

The reference of multicultural scene

Just as the Printemps de Bourges or the Francofolies de La Rochelle for European music, the Festival des Musiques métisses is a reference in terms of "world music". Actually, this event was the first to put on a French stage artists such as Compay Segundo, Salif Keita, Cheb Mami, Tito Puente and Ismaël Lô.

Through its international line, the Festival des Musiques métisses managed to export. Twin festivals are now held in Japan, the US, Canada, Africa and Brazil.

Three days of musical energy

This year, Angoulême will light up on tunes muy calientes from May 22^nd to 24^th. For the birthday event, the programming pays a tribute to those who marked the history of the festival: Tiken Jah Fakoly, Salif Keita, Akhenaton, Orange Blossom, Boubacar Traoré, Vaudou Game, Fada Freddy, Amadou Bagayoko and others.

In parallel to the concerts, literary meetings and workshops will be held. The organisers expect over 10,000 concert-goers from all over Europe. The audience will be made of experts or amateurs, music lovers or simple party-goers who will contribute to the broadcasting of world music once back home.