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    The French Connection
    01-Jun-2008

    An event celebrated simultaneously by millions of people worldwide comes to the Kingdom, culminating with the hottest Cambodian Pop stars side by side with an explosive electronic French act. It promises to be some melting pot……

    The Fête de la Musique, also known as the Day of Music, was conceived in France in 1981 and annually entertains millions of people worldwide. Taking place every June, the objective of the Day of Music is to promote a wide variety of music for people of all ages and all social backgrounds.

    French Connection

    After beginning as a low key event organized by the French Ministry for Culture as celebration of music, it has grown into a key cultural event held in over 340 cities in 110 countries. It started with bands playing in the streets and has now become a social global phenomenon. Its success has been exported to cities across Europe, Asia and South America.

     

    Essentially different to a music festival in that it is, above all, a free popular fete, open to any participant who wants to perform. It uses two methods to promote music; Firstly, amateurs and professionals alike are encouraged to perform in streets and bars. Secondly, many free concerts are organized, making all genres of music accessible to the public. The Fête de la Musique is so popular in France that it is one of the few nights of the year where there are no noise restrictions. It’s a dream for artists as under French law, musicians can play all night without getting busted.

    French Connection

    Cambodia has been a part of the Fete de la Musique since 1993 and this year is no exception. Embracing the spirit of the World Music Day with an emphasis on free celebrations, bars and clubs across Phnom Penh are hosting music events with performances by Khmer and Expat musicians. The French Cultural Centre is playing host to many other events during the week long festival. Organiser Marie de Pilbrac is exceptionally enthusiastic about a line up that redefines the word ‘eclectic.’ The mix of Khmer and French musicians on the bill is an intriguing one, from a concert of sacred Arak music, through a demonstration of traditional Khmer instruments, to two French accordion players. On Wednesday, musicians from the Royal University of Fine Arts are accompanying an outdoor screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid in a fascinating collaboration. After hosting a similar event recently, Ms. de Pilbrac believes there is a “real connection between Khmer people and classic silent cinema.”

     

    One thing is certain; Khmers love to sing and dance. Any chance to down tools for a party is enthusiastically taken so expect Phnom Penh to be a little louder for one week in June.

    The Festival of Music runs from Monday, June 16th to Saturday, June 21, 2008 at the French Cultural Centre, 218, Street 184 Phnom Penh.

    Schedule.

     

    June 16th: Demonstration of six traditional Khmer instruments by the musicians of Sovanna Phum.
    June 17th: Concert of Arak sacred music, conducted by Yun Khean, professor at the Royal University of Fine Arts.
    June 18th: Original outdoor screening of Charlie Chaplain’s “The Kid” with accompaniment by musicians from the Royal University of Fine Arts.
    June 19th: Western classical music performed by Cambodian musicians.
    June 20th: Original musical performance by two French accordionists and Cambodian musicians / to be followed by the Festival of Music in many city bars, well into the night…
    June 21st: Concert by Cambodian stars, followed by X-Makeena, a French electronic music group, concluding with a ‘funk night’ at the Café du Centre..
    Info: ww.ccf-cambodge.org
     

    Khmer Stars

    6 of the hottest current Cambodian pop stars are playing on the Saturday night at the French Cultural Centre. Nam Bunaroath, Meas Soksophea, Ankun Kola, Keo Veasna, Sim Thaina and E Nita all feature in line up that should appeal hugely to the local young generation.

    Nam Bunaroath generously spared some time to talk to Cambodia: The Life about the upcoming event. “I am very excited about the event,” he said. “It makes me happy to be making music with my friends and entertaining the crowd.” Bunaroath admitted that he was a little nervous about the upcoming event but is very pleased with his new album and is looking forward to performing it for his fans. He believes that the event can contribute to peoples understanding of different cultures. Sharing the same bill with a French electronic band is interesting and very good for people as music is important for understanding.

    Embracing the true spirit of the Day of Music, Bunaroath adds, “People need music. When they are in trouble or pain, they need music. Not just Cambodian people but everybody. Music helps.”
     

    X Makeena

    An explosive mixture of hip-hop, drum and bass and electro, the French band X-Makeena follow the Khmer stars on Saturday night. After first making waves in Brittany, they went on to conquer the rest of France and Belgium. Their first album was released in 2004 and following riotous gigs they supported the Beastie Boys on tour. The critically acclaimed first album ‘Death on the Wax’ was an unstructured hybrid of drum ‘n’ bass, hip-hop and dub, beaming with destructive energy. Following a jaw-dropping performance at the 2006 Espéranzah Festival, the second album Instinctive Dérive was released. More constructed and mature, it pervaded with a deeper sense of identity than the previous offering. 

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