La Fête de la Musique was officially created in France in 1982. It’s now celebrated all over the world, every year, on June 21st. Cities typically organize large concerts headlined by well-known professional singers and groups. In smaller towns like ours, local bands and amateurs showcase their talent in an assortment of venues.
This year’s edition had to adapt to a new reality: a virus that was tamed but still lurking. It’s clear that, in Paris and a few other areas, revelers quickly forgot that social distancing was still de rigueur… I have to give high marks to Gourdon for finding a good compromise: all bands performed outdoors, at a safe distance from restaurant diners along the circular boulevard. People were either sitting down at tables or walking about in small groups, enjoying a wide selection of musical styles from jazz to rock-and-roll. It probably helped that the event took place before European tourists were allowed to cross our borders.
The best moment for me was a sensational performance by Panderovox, a local group of polyphonic singers and percussionists who specialize in traditional songs from Mediterranean and Eastern European countries. They performed in the courtyard of the 15th Century Maison du Sénéchal. Always a treat!