GENEVA ROCKS

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2018 FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE GENEVA 

(All images courtesy of Fête de la Musique)

by Chené Koscielny

For a few nights a year (22nd, 23rd, 24th of June) during the Fête de la Musique in Geneva the reserved city of Calvin drops its guard and opens it heart to hundreds of thousands of revellers (over 200,000 at last count) – young and old – to celebrate sounds and beats from around the world.

 

 

This free annual music festival which takes place on the 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th of June 2018 turns the streets, courtyards and parks of the city into a massive party as a wide variety of musical acts (over 500) breathe life into spectacular historical venues around the city, including Parc des Bastions; the promenade de la Treille (oldest walkway in the city) and over 20 other venues. These include the cultural centre L’Alhambra, the beautiful Victoria Hall concert hall and the Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

 

THE VIBE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The atmosphere is super chilled as head bangers party alongside classic music lovers and rappers and tango and swing dancers glide, bop and sway down the promenade Saint-Antoine…

This 27^th festival is organised every year by the Ville de Geneve and is aimed at encouraging the sharing of musical traditions with the wider public – allowing everyone to experience new types of music. The music offerings are too many to choose from and are designed to please young and old.  Most of the events are family-friendly.

 

WHAT TO SEE: 

Choose your approach – either you pick a few favourite items from the programme – look at some of the highlights below – and plan accordingly or alternatively, just soak up the atmosphere as you stroll from venue to venue, stopping for a bite to eat from one of the 40 plus non-profit stands offering food from around the world and a drink from a refundable gobelet. We’ve given up on trying too hard to understand the overwhelming programme and last year ended up just strolling around and following our ears to find music and vibes we liked.

If the weather plays along, it’s one of the best evenings in the year in Geneva!

On Saturday night a colourful parade celebrating the sounds of New Orleans will lead to l’ Alhambra in the centre of town where the party will continue.

 

 

Meanwhile, the city’s forefathers at the Bastion Réformateurs will shake, rattle and roll in their foundations to the sounds of an ancient Congolese rumba – Bokola, as well as a whirlwind mix of trance jazz, polyrhythm and old school funk by a group of 13 musicians making up the L’Orage & L’éclair = La tempête at midnight on Friday.

 

Further highlights include various Swiss Rappers at l’Alhambra and lovers of classical music can look forward to the 50 Violoncelles de Lemancellos.

 

 

 

On Friday night an eclectic evening entitled: Music without borders will take place in the courtyard of the MAH including the unusual version of ethno-jazz by local quartet Zatar.

 

 

 

 

 

This year also look out for live dance performances and  interactive dance and music activities for children.

For the full programme consult the website: www.fetedelamusique.ch

 

 

 

PRACTICAL INFO

Where to find the programme:

The programme of the event will be distributed free at the following points before the event:

Espace Ville de Genève – Pont de la Machine 1

Maison des arts du Grütli – Rue du Général-Dufour 16

Cité Seniors – Rue Amat 28

During the festival look out for the members of the INFO team who will be answering questions and distributing programmes. A print version of the full programme will also be distributed with the Tribune de Geneve newspaper on the 21st of June.

 

WHEN

FRIDAY, June 22nd: 19h-02h

SATURDAY, June 23rd : 11h-02h

SUNDAY, 24th: 11h-22h

 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Tram lines 18 and 12 will operate as usual to and from Place Neuve, as will most of the bus lines serving this area.

Traffic restrictions will apply, so make sure you check these before setting out.

 

THE VENUES

 For a map of the 28 venues, food stalls, public toilets etc click here.

Quartier de Neuve

1. Victoria Hall| Rue du Général-Dufour 14
2. Grütli| Rue du Général-Dufour 16
   – Bibliothèque musicale – La Musicale
   – Les Cinémas
3. Conservatoire (CSM et HEM)| Place de Neuve 5
4. Place de Neuve| Place de Neuve

 

Parc des Bastions

5. Bastions Rocailles| Parc des Bastions
6. Bastions Réformateurs| Parc des Bastions
7. Bastions Calabri| Parc des Bastions
8. Bastions Saint-Léger| Parc des Bastions
9. Bastions Crypte| Parc des Bastions
10. Salle des Abeilles| Rue de l’Athénée 2

Vieille-Ville

11. La Treille| Promenade de la Treille
12. Eglise Saint-Germain| Rue des Granges 11
13. Cour de la Société de Lecture| Grand Rue 11
14. Alhambra| Rue de la Rôtisserie 10
15. Cour Saint-Pierre| Cour de Saint-Pierre
16. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre| Cour de Saint-Pierre 8
17. Agrippa| Terrasse Agrippa-d’Aubigné
18. Auditoire Calvin | Place de la Taconnerie 1
19. Cour du 14| Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville 14
20. Eglise Luthérienne| Rue Verdaine 20
21. Temple de la Madeleine| Rue de Toutes-Ames 15

Saint-Antoine

22. Salle Frank-Martin | Rue de la Vallée 1
23. Promenade Saint-Antoine| Promenade de Saint-Antoine
24. Le Pin| Promenade du Pin
25. Conservatoire de populaire (CPMDT)| Rue Charles-Bonnet 8
    – Le Parvis
    – Studio De Agostini
26. Casemates | Passage Burlamachi
27. Cour du MAH | Rue Charles-Galland 2
28. L’Observatoire | Promenade de l’Observatoire

 

FOOD AND DRINK

Food from different cultures will be available from around 40 food stalls – mainly from non-profit organisations.

For a complete list and more information – consult the website of the Fete de la Musique.