Swiss Focus at Les Rencontres Trans Musicales de Rennes 5. – 9. December 2018
Les Rencontres Trans Musicales de Rennes may be the last great festival of the year, but it certainly isn’t the least. Situated on the edge of one of the most picturesque parts of France, Brittany, Rennes isn’t short of attractive sights. However, during the five days the city hosts this glorious five-day extravaganza of musical discovery, and combines it with pre-Christmas cheer, Rennes is transformed into a place of true magic. The fact that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Transmusicales is testament both to the success of a pioneering concept, and the charm of a festival like no other. Rightly proud of this achievement, as a special present for their fans, the Transmusicales people have teamed up with Klaxoon to create the Trans Music Maps. This is a web app to explore the history of the festival right back to its beginnings, revive memories and rediscover long-forgotten musical pearls.
Les Transmusicales being one of our favourite social and musical occasions of the year, Swiss Music Export wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to help celebrate the festival’s anniversary with another edition of our by now traditional “Focus Suisse” event.
Focus Suisse
Friday 7 December 2018, 15:15 – 18:30
L’Ubu, 1 Rue Saint-Hélier, Rennes
Doors open at 15:15 for an aperitif reception for invited guests. We would be hugely chuffed if you would join us for a chat and a drink – for a spot on the guest list please contact adelaide@swiss-music-export.com until 06.12.2018, 17:00.
At 16:00, the doors will be thrown open to the music-loving public for a showcase with two truly exciting bands from Switzerland, Cyril Cyril and Los Orioles.
16:30 – 17:15 Cyril Cyril
Cyril Cyril are Cyril Yeterian who plays accordion, banjo and myriad other instruments, and Cyril Bondi, a drummer/percussionist extraordinaire, who is also a member of the wonderful Plaistow. Describing themselves as “muezzin without frontiers”, the Cyrils are fuelled by an irrepressible desire to explore places only they know exist. Their fabulous debut album “Certain Ruines” was released in September.
17:45 – 18:30 Los Orioles
A party band par excellence, Los Orioles from the bilingual city of Biel are a seven-piece marinated in all things Caribbean and generally tropical. Mixing their reggae with heaps of influences ranging from Cumbia to Two Tone, they then add a hefty dose of psychedelic seasoning. Their album “Zumbia YéYé” released in the summer, is a joyfully crazy roller-coaster of madness and badness.
This truly is an event not to be missed! And so is Muthoni Drummer Queen’s appearance on the same night as part of the regular festival programme in a massive venue, Hall 9 du Parc Expo.
Muthoni Drummer Queen
Friday, 7 December 2018, 00:25
Hall 9 du Parc Expo
Rennes Airport
After four albums choc-a-bloc full of “Hip Hop, Afro dopeness”, the irrepressible Nairobi-born singer and rapper Muthoni Drummer Queen and her cohorts, Swiss producers Jean “Hook” Geissbuhler and Greg “GR!” Escoffey, have truly hit their stride. Mixing elements of reggae, hip-hop, and, of course, the sounds of East Africa, their style is as original as it is infectiously positive in attitude and sound.
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At the Bar en Trans another Swiss artist is appearing, the much talked-about singer/songwriter Emilie Zoé. Her second album “The Very Start”, full of darkly shimmering instrumental textures and gripping vocal melodies, was released last month.
Emilie Zoé
Friday, 7 December 2018, 19:30
La Chapelle du Conservoire
26 Rue Hoche, Rennes
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Les Rencontres Trans Musicales de Rennes
Trans Music Maps
Focus Suisse
Cyril Cyril
Los Orioles
Muthoni Drummer Queen
Emilie Zoé
