Closer Music

Decomplexed, hybrid, open to the world, Closer Music also echoes Lafayette Anticipations' generous programming approach by drawing inspiration from the creative freedom of other artistic disciplines that cross its walls (dance, visual arts in particular). The very name of the festival hides a true profession of faith: to break down barriers and question our experience of music.

In 2020, Closer Music put forward artists who express themselves beyond the chapels of genre and traditional formats. Complete with Warm Up Sessions, an exhibition and performances, the festival experimented with the liberation of bodies and disciplines. In 2021, Closer Music returns with a specially designed online edition adapted to the current health context. Filmed for the most part within the walls of the Foundation, the Rem Koolhaas architecture will provide a sublime setting for captivating videos close to the artists and the Parisian sky.

Vocalist Lyra Pramuk, collaborator of Holly Herndon, will present her vision of a "future folk music" between ambient, lyrical music and electronic experimentation. On the strength of the recent collaborative album Jours de grève (Versatile), French underground heroine Emmanuelle Parrenin and cult techno producer Detlef Weinrich (Tolouse Low Trax) will play this rare repertoire live. Another unusual formation, the duo Heimat, formed by Olivier Demeaux (Cheveu, Accident Du Travail) and Armelle "bisou bisou" (The Dreams, Badaboum) will present their new album Zwei (Teenage Menopause) described here and there as the meeting of Throbbing Gristle, Nico and RZA. Yellow Magic Harpsichord, a project by French Antoine Souchav, who transcribes the work of the Japanese Yellow Magic Orchestra to the harpsichord, and Nelson Beer, preacher of an electronic music that is equidistant from pop and experimentation, will complete this sonic and visual journey that is unlike any other.

In addition to the concerts, there will be a performance by the activist and feminist choreographer Mercedes Dassy, followed by a discussion with the curator of our Warm Up Sessions, Madeleine Planeix-Crocker. Also not to be missed, a conversation about the rediscovery of 78s from around the world with Jonathan Ward, collector and founder of Excavated Shellac, a massive project to document and share lost and often neglected music recordings, and Joseph Ghosn, editor of Vanity Fair. A special mix by Jonathan Ward, featuring forgotten gems from around the world, treasures of this great "alternative history" of music, comes with this unique encounter.

See you from 3 to 6 June for a series of concerts, talks and performances, online and in free access, in order to remain open to as many people as possible.

Programme: Etienne Blanchot

In partnership with Trax.