When asked to reel off a list of festivals on mainland Europe, one tends to think of ‘EXIT’, ‘Sonar’, ‘Rock AM Ring’ and the accursed “Brits on tour” offering, ‘Benicassim’.
The more curious fellow will take pride in listing Gothenburg’s ‘Way out West’ or ‘Hove’ in Norway. You’d be hard pressed to hear somebody mention ‘Nuits Sonores’ though.
The electro festival is located in Lyon, France. It’s organised by Arty Farty and has been running since 2002 and has gradually welcomed more and more dance orientated limbs through its gates with each passing year.
In order to entice the gathered throngs, this years line-up boasted the likes of Simian Mobile Disco, Vitalic, Busy P, UNKLE, 2ManyDJs, Gang of Four, Uffie, Lindstrom & Christabelle, Laurent Garnier, The Go! Team, Ivan Smagghe, Booka Shade, Liars, Jesse Rose and The Juan Maclean.
An impressive roll call indeed.
Perhaps even more impressive is the set-up and layout of the festival. For four days, the city becomes one big festival site, with nine electro stages located all over the shop offering up all kinds of opportunities for attendees to dance and get up to mischief.
Lyon is literally your oyster.
One highlight was during a daytime party. Situated in what was no more than a ginnel sandwiched between two apartment blocks, revellers were treated to a live M.C., several DJ’s, alcohol and food. One of the DJ’s had a revelation and dropped ‘54-46 Was My Number’ and the little square turned into a right angle of reverie.
The main kicks are to be had within the festival’s main site. Honourable mention goes to Laurent Garnier and Uffie; however the weekend’s plaudits are reserved for Busy P and 2ManyDJs.
Busy’s energetic to-ing and fro-ing during his set caused a frenzy amongst the small numbers that came with the sole intention of “…their tits off” (insert whichever verb you feel is relevant).
The former Daft Punk manager raised false hope when he began to throw what appeared to be money into the crowd. Disappointed grabbers were met with pieces of paper instead. The dejection turned to elation when A-Trak’s remix of ‘Heads Will Roll’ was catapulted out of the speakers.
The mantle of ‘Best Fucking Set’ is saved for 2ManyDJs. Shelving their mainstream set for Warehouse Project and Sankeys, the Dewaele brothers proceeded to melt the purist’s faces with heavy electro. For three fucking hours!
Poignant moments included the effervescent ‘Flat Beat’, the teasing intro to ‘A Milli’ by Lil’ Wayne and the unavoidable elephant in the room, which came in the form of their remix of ‘Kids’.
A humorous scene involved a case of crossed wires. During the opening moments of ‘Rock The Casbah’ by The Clash, one confused reveller was to be heard shouting “IT’S WILLENIUM!”
So, for those of you who want to attend a festival where good music and a friendly atmosphere isn’t tainted by annoying “rah on a gap yah” types or loutish indie fans then Nuits Sonores is definitely the place for you. Lyon, J’Taime.
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