On June 26th and 27th, while the Europavox festival in Clermont-Ferrand was bustling with last-minute preparations before its opening, the surrounding areas – the Massif central and the Department of Puy-de-Dôme – hosted part of the festival.
A selection of European artists scheduled to perform in Clermont-Ferrand – KOIKOI (Serbia), Lucy Kruger & the Lost Boys (Germany), Melenas (Spain), and Postman (Ukraine) – had the opportunity to give concerts and meet students and residents of Rodez, Aurillac, and Rémilly in the Massif central, as well as Lezoux, Issoire, and Giat in Puy-de-Dôme.
KOIKOI discovered the work of painter Pierre Soulages during a visit to the museum dedicated to him in his hometown, before meeting a group of high school students for a radio show (Radio Temps Rodez) and concluding with a powerful and magnetic concert. Lucy Kruger & the Lost Boys explored the rolling landscapes of Cantal; in Aurillac, they engaged with high school students, including an art class that created a beautiful custom screen print for the concert. That evening, a packed house experienced the intense ” pop noire” of Lucy Kruger. As the artist herself said at the end of the concert: “This is the kind of day any artist wishes to live every day.”
KOIKOI_Photos Jonathan Bayol
Lucy Kruger & the Lost Boys_Photos Daniel Aimé
In Lezoux and Giat, Spanish was highlighted during the meetings between students and Melenas, including a surprise cover of Osa Polar by the students of Lezoux. Two emotionally charged and smile-filled days; the band from Pamplona will long remember their time in Puy-de-Dôme.
Warm exchanges also took place during Postman‘s concerts in Issoire, where music school students kicked off the festivities, and in Rémilly, a village of 150 inhabitants south of the Morvan, which warmly welcomed the Ukrainian artist.
Melenas_Photo Pascal Rudel / Département du Puy-de-Dôme
Postman_Photos William Debord
These rich days of exchanges allowed the artists to immerse themselves in the heritage and places visited, and for the students and the public to discover these artists and their worlds, creating unbreakable bonds between them.
A different way of approaching tours, giving meaning to travel by collaborating with local actors and reaching out to new audiences.
Thanks to the supporters and partners who made these two days possible. For the Massif central tour: the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT), Le Club in Rodez, the City of Aurillac, the Theater and Assaut Sismique, Le Limon in Rémilly and the Café Charbon in Nevers, the School of Artistic Education in Luzy, and the artists: Lykuin, KOIKOI, Adèle Coyo, Lucy Kruger & the Lost Boys, YOR and Postman.
For the Puy-de-Dôme tour: the Departmental Council, the City of Lezoux, the CC Entre Dore et Allier, the Pays d’Issoire Agglomeration, the City of Issoire, the CC Chavanon, Combrailles and Volcans, the City of Giat, the AME, the music school, and the artists: CAM’ZO, the music students of Pays d’Issoire music school, Drapeau Blanc, Argil, Matt Low, Melenas and Postman.
