[Report] Solidays 2018 – Sunday on a festival like no other

If the day before was intense, Sunday at Solidays 2018 was a time to relax and remember the fundamental values of the festival.

Solidays is a festival like no other; It is a solidarity and committed event! 

This is what the volunteers chanted to us all day at the beginning of each concert before introducing an actor of an association on stage to talk to us about his actions. And it was indeed good to remember why we are here and where the profits of the festival go, what it allows to achieve.

Good news, bits of life shared and a lot of hope for the future. The fight continues!

Solidays 2018 a committed festival

Solidays is also conferences. And this year, we took the time to enter the Social Club to listen to at least one. It must be said that this year's schedule allowed it more: all the conferences took place before the start of the big concerts. So we had to arrive earlier, but it was worth it.

Our choice fell on the intervention of Delphine Horvilleur, one of the 3 women rabin of France who had a very interesting question to ask us: Are feminism and religion compatible? The presentation could not be more interesting, inviting everyone to question their religious community to evolve towards a more progressive discourse, in accordance with mores and today's society.

Find the press conference of Delphine Horvilleur

A dynamic start to Sunday

It was then with the Parisian group Tshegue that we started this last musical day: it starts with percussion and it continues in dance. A raw and authentic sound that comes from afar. Faty Sy Savanet, the singer, is a ball of energy that wakes up the most tired. You can't help but move in rhythm and follow it. This is the ideal concert to give us the strength to last all day.

Same training with Arat Kilo that we find under the tent of the César Circus. Led by Mamani Keita and Mike Ladd on vocals, this group is rich in influences and instruments on stage. Luminous brass and frenzied percussion: another great recipe to make the audience of Solidays dance. We salute their enthusiasm and their smile and we leave this concert completely enchanted and swimming. To discover live !!

One of the expected figures of the festival is Juliette Armanet. Dressed in a sparkling silver suit, she makes a dynamic entrance to a rather posed music. Sitting in front of a quarter-grand piano, it is with grace that she moves her fingers on the black and white keys. The concert begins with a walk and will slowly increase in intensity. One cannot help but think of Véronique Sanson, as much in her diction and in her timbre of voice as in her style. There is a nostalgic retro kitsch side accentuated and assumed that is not without charm. Juliette is delighted to see that the public seems to know her songs and especially her title L'Indien. The atmosphere is calm, quiet and festive at the same time; Not restless but very relaxed and it's insanely enjoyable.

A visit to the village of associations

We then made a small visit of the village of associations. Each year, it becomes more and more complete, addressing new causes in order to raise festival-goers' awareness of many issues affecting the news today. It is with pleasure that we see this year many associations for the feminist cause. Highly represented, it is assumed that this presence is due in particular to the #metoo and #timesup movements. We also find the regulars: Solidarité SIDA, Greenpeace, Act Up, Amnesty International, La Croix rouge… Another very present cause: there is a lot of talk about migrants. It is the necessary dose of humanity that allows us to regain hope. A better tomorrow is possible because of these wonderful people. We highly recommend that you join one of these associations to allow them to do even more great things!

Then it's time for the Color Party. Orchestrated by Luc Barruet, we will notice that this year, there was no delay and the countdown went very well. The result, festival-goers covered in powder of all colors and superb images… which we unfortunately could not seize (our equipment could not). 

A quiet start to the evening

Head to the Dome where Jungle is about to take the stage. A groovy band with fluent voices for funk music that smells of vintage. The audience is calm and is carried away by the group that vibrates brass and synths. It's dancing but not agitated. We feel that it is Sunday and, even if the energy is not at its maximum, the public is very attentive. It doesn't take long for him to react when asked to make noise and clap his hands.

We change stages to pass, right next door, on the Domino. This is where the word multi-instrumentalist comes into its own. When we see FKJ compose on stage his songs, from keyboard to guitar, from bass to machine to loop everything and add beats, we can only be admiring. Everything is wonderfully well executed. The music lovers gathered have felt it and let themselves be carried away by its jazzy melodies. And when he comes to put his voice, it is an additional delight. A true virtuoso and a concert not to be missed. He will go so far as to use the applause and shouts of the audience to create a live track. This is the whole creative process that we are witnessing. A real music lesson!

Difficult choices and IAM to conclude this 2018 edition

It was then necessary to run between two scenes not to miss The Kills on one side, intense Rock duo that gives chills.

Clara Luciani was curiously on a less imposing stage. She is also one of the highly anticipated artists of the festival. With her deep and deep voice, she is sensual and poetic, but at the same time disenchanted and bohemian. We see that it has really taken off and that it has acquired an audience of its own. She could become a Jane Birkin muse.

Last concert of the day, IAM makes an impressive entrance. The school of the silver microphone still works well and the first titles react an audience that seems very tired. Unfortunately the setlist does not seem to pack and it will be necessary to wait for the MIA so that suddenly, there is a burst of energy in front of the Paris stage. 

It was a last day of a quieter festival, but one where awareness was important. The volunteers did not fail to remind us of the true meaning of Solidays and we thank them.

One of the last messages was: Don't leave politics to the bankers; get involved. Keep that flame burning once a year during the festival throughout the year !

Find the postponement of Friday at Solidays

Find the postponement of Saturday at Solidays

Photos : Antony Gomes – http://www.antonygomes.com/