The band Oops at Music Day, Institut français du Laos.

French Music Day strikes the right note

No less than 20 bands featuring more than 100 musicians performed at the French Institute in Vientiane on Saturday in the 40th edition of the Fete de la Musique.
The show lasted for 10 hours and had a very diverse programme, from traditional Khmu music to punk rock, as well as pop, metal, reggae and more.
The garden of the French Institute, on Lane Xang Avenue, where the stage was set up with its colourful backdrop, was packed with people.
More than 1,000 enthusiastic spectators attended this highly anticipated musical marathon, which takes place every year. The artists, both amateur and professional, who were selected through a call for participation, gave dynamic and creative performances throughout the day and evening and delighted the audience.
After two years of social restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this event showed that the music scene in Vientiane is thriving and was an opportunity for the public to enjoy music by both Lao and international artists originating from France, the UK, Sweden, Bulgaria, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, and Serbia among others.
The musical extravanganza kicked off at 2pm and ended at midnight in an exceptional atmosphere. The programme included 21 groups, namely Kyozawei, Oops, Lao Stafahroots, Sokoi, Wagon, Nu Innovation, Nova, Zer0, UrFavHook, Phanlampadabdin, Showfree, Lompadong, Anou, Zero4, Pedro Luis, Louis, Tla Kap Chriil, Vayorath Xayasonroth, Khaen, Mak Boxbox, and the Vientiane International Choir, who took turns to perform gigs lasting from 10 and 45 minutes. This true fusion of musical genres and styles represents the lively local music scene, and reflects the tremendous diversity of tastes and individuals in the Lao capital.
Among those present at the Music Day were the French Ambassador to Laos, Ms Siv-Leng Chhuor, who spoke about the universality of music and the special cultural relationship between France and Laos.
The Ambassador of the European Union to Laos, Ms Ina Marciulionyte, and the British Ambassador to Laos, Mr John Pearson, were spotted among the audience.
Music Day promotes the exchange of musical experiences and provides a stage for groups from different backgrounds to showcase their skills and talent. Every year on the summer solstice, this celebration of music reinvents itself and reveals ever more talented and younger artists; in Vientiane, the youngest pianist was 11 and the youngest singer was just 16.
The Fete de la Musique was born in France on June 21, 1982. With this initiative, the French Minister of
Culture at the time, Jack Lang, wanted to promote the values of bringing people together, sharing, and the idea of culture for all. Open to everyone, the Fete de la Musique celebrates both amateur and professional  musicians, who come together every year in June for free musical performances, often outdoors.
 Music Day has become an emblematic international musical event, celebrated in more than 120 countries around the world, with more than 700 cities participating.
The concert in Vientiane was organised by the French Institute in collaboration with the French Embassy to Laos, and in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to Laos, the BFL bank, Beerlao, and the Apostrophe cafeteria.
This event was quite special for the Executive Director of the French Institute in Laos, Mr Jean- Manuel Duhaut, as it was the final concert he organised before he leaves Laos for a well-deserved retirement.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update June 22, 2022)