Les siestes électroniques
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[edit] Introduction – Résumé
Les Siestes électronique is a music festival which is dedicated to adventurous music. Mostly focused on electronic music, this festival offers an eclectic programme and has the ambition to be a calling to both well-versed and general audiences. Les Siestes électroniques is one of the few mainly free international festivals.
The concerts take place in the afternoon, in open-air spaces and in a relaxed atmosphere. As the sun sets down on the Garonne river, the audience comes and goes, listening to the music well into the night. The performers, from all over the world and often recognised as leading artists in the electronic scene, play in a relaxed and meaningful manner: What can feel better than playing your music bare feet in the grass? Thematic concerts are also organised in places of historic and architectural interest in the city of Toulouse. Club Parties scattered in Toulouse’s best clubbing places, music teaching groups, showcases and digital art exhibition - emphasizing the relationship between sound and material in contemporary art – complete Les Siestes électroniques’ concept.
[edit] Concept
Mainly free, Les Siestes électroniques is one of the first festivals in France to give priority to a special sort of listening : diurnal, in the town centre, in an open air space while the audience is lazily lying on the grass.
The original idea, thanks to electronica music development, was to succeed in mixing a warm welcome, cosy and surprising venues, an astute program and a mixed audience. And this blend hasn’t changed a bit since the beginning.
The journalist Odile de Plas explains very well the phenomenon behind this kind of events’:
“The music-loving “napper” is a very particular race which appeared in the mid 90’s. […] By dint of hard work, he has improved his ritual : light summer clothing, sunglasses to hide the previous day alcohol abuse rather than to protect his eyes from sun. The “napper” slowly glances at the festival area and finally makes a great effort to choose a place for the day. He won’t move anymore… Well, just a few roundtrips to the bar or raising his hand to let his friends know where he is. Now he just has to listen to the different concerts more or less carefully. He often invites his “steady” friends – those who have children and don’t get the chance to go to clubs or festivals any longer – to join him. Those sleepy afternoons help them discreetly satisfy, under the pretext of having a family walk, their passion for young scatterbrains’ music. Within a decade, siesta has become the official way to listen to electronic music. The audience gets to know an original and soothing kind of music and gives it respectability. Le Monde – 1st of July 2006
[edit] The beginning
Rotation association created Les Siestes électroniques festival.
The idea of a free open air festival was born in 2001 because of the lack of places dedicated to contemporary music and electronic music visibility. The first edition of Les Siestes électroniques took place in 2002. That first test was really ambitious since the festival would last for four weekends (one out of the four could not be held because of the bad weather). Things went well : thanks to willing people and local talents, 1500 people got together on the river Garonne’s bank, for a one of many electronical naps.
[edit] Evolution
- 2003 : From July, 20th to August, 3rd – Main location : Jardins Raymond IV
Artists from Japan, the U.S.A. and different european countries – mainly Germany- were invited. The first showcase (Ableton Live) took place in the nearby museum of modern art “Les Abattoirs”. Line-up : Sylvain Chauveau, VS_Price, Hensley, Murcof, Colleen, Sogar, Box, Hermann & Kleine, Arco5, Del Wire, Braille & Angström Crew Apparat, Aoki Takamasa, Miles Whittaker, Aurel, Bmx Participants : ~3500
- 2004 : From July, 2nd to 11th - Main location : Jardins Raymond IV.
Renewed showcase aspect and organized two concerts in La Chapelle des Carmélites (listed historic monument). Line Up : Funkstörung, Richard Devine, Lusine ICL, Yoshihiro Hanno, Orchestre de chambre de Toulouse, Sink, Arovane, Suzywan, Dabrye, Donna Regina, Téléfax, Bernhard Fleischmann, Aoki Takamasa, Tujiko Noriko, Gangpol und Mit, Cabanne, D_tekt, Vlador, benge, Jonas Bering, Won, Domotic, The Konki Duet, Softland, Ark, D/JYU Participants : ~7 500
- 2005 : From July, 1st to 10th - Main location : Jardins Raymond IV
The nightclubbing frenzy woke up and shook Les Siestes électroniques. Also marked by the first digital exhibition and by astounding venues: the Auditorium Saint-Pierre des Cuisines for piano concerts and L’Hotel d’Assezat. Line-up : Thomas Fehlman, DAT Politics, Vladislav Delay, Agf, Marc Collin, Jan Jelinek, Sylvain Chauveau, Modeselektor, DJ Feadz, Bmx, Mike Dred, Rex The Dog, Dexima, Fedaden, Trapist, Brooks, Funckarma, Masha Qrella, Magnetophone, Phonem, Nôze, Daniel Meteo Participants : ~9 000
- 2006 : From June, 30th to July, 9th - Main location : Jardins Raymond IV
Free open-air concerts, nightclubbing, art exhibitions, music teaching groups, thematic concerts and spontaneous events surrounding Les Siestes électroniques’s buzz have produced its most advanced formula. Line-up : Juan Atkins, Modeselektor, Ada, Justus Koehncke, Legowelt, Kevin Blechdom, Taylor Savvy, Hauscka, Marion Lambert, Daniel Wang, Tellemake, A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Toshiyuki Yasuda, Midi & Demix, Ensemble, Schneider TM, France Copland, Koyote & Goon, Electroluxe, Midaircondo, Krikor, Avia Gardner, Opiate, Juicy Panic Participants : ~10 000
[edit] Press comments
- "Free festival dedicated to adventurous musics, Les Siestes électroniques settle in a cosy garden the best of the electronic scene."
Le Temps (Geneva) – July 2003
- "Within three years time, Les Siestes électroniques festival has made a name for itself as one of the best music events in France."
Mouvement (Paris) – June 2004
- "Les Siestes électroniques is a mini-Sonar festival, dished up in Toulouse’s way."
Le Monde(Paris) –June 2004
- "Les Siestes électroniques is one of the most original festivals in France. It is also one of the most specialized, thanks to a wonderful programme."
Les Inrockuptibles (Paris) – June 2005
- "Say what you will about the French, the Freedom-Fry-inducing nation knows its electronica. And as part of their eternal struggle to remain on the forefront of said genre, the French are once again hosting Les Siestes electroniques, the annual summer festival which will bring together a number of top european techno acts."
Pitchfork Media (Chicago) – June 2005
- "For five years, Les Siestes électroniques have developed, filled out, experimented..."
Coda Magazine(Paris) – June 2006
