Electro-pop from Kenya, punk from Argentina, oriental funk composed in Brittany: the 45th edition of Trans Musicales de Rennes once again offers a journey like no other on the music planet. Organized by the Association Trans Musicales (ATM), the event aims to promote renewal in current music and to offer a cultural experience.
In total, 77 groups are scheduled from Wednesday December 6 to Sunday December 10 in this pioneering festival. Some perfectly illustrate the impetus given by the association to musical diversity.
Exuberant bullfighter on keyboard
Total spectacle in sight with the electro-pop of the artist Kabeaushé, parachuted from Kenya. “He is a performer (singer-dancer), his music goes in all directions, he is a character full of colors, full of life,” explains Jean-Louis Brossard, the boss of Trans. The artist, accompanied by a keyboard in exuberant bullfighter attire, quickly ends up shirtless on stage. Beyond his show on a raised stage, Kabeaushé will also perform during the mayor’s drink, which kicks off the festivities. “I always play an artist who comes from very far away, that’s what Trans people are, it’s a surprise,” rejoices Jean-Louis Brossard.
Bantu Spaceship
Another group from East Africa, Bantu Spaceship will be present with its marriage of wave and the Ndebele language of Zimbabwe. The retro-futuristic costumes, the sound from elsewhere and the name of the group are big nods to Parliament, an American funk group, whose album cover Mothership Connection featured a flying saucer.
Punk style cello
Blanco Teta, a combo formed in Argentina with three musicians from that country and a Colombian bassist, also promises a lot in terms of energy. “There’s a cellist who plays lying on the ground, it’s really loud, it’s punk,” explains Jean-Louis Brossard.
He owes this discovery to the Bongo Joe label from Geneva, which placed six of his groups in this 45th edition of Trans Musicales. Among them, Yalla Miku, a collective which brings together agitators from the Swiss scene and musicians from Morocco, Eritrea and Algeria. The latter play traditional instruments (guembri, krar, darbouka) on an electro soundtrack and haunting songs: trance to the Trans. “No two groups are alike at Bongo Joe,” underlines the organizer who also called on a graphic designer and sound scout from the label, Felix Vincent, to design the poster for the 45th edition.
Electric bassoon and disco
Jean-Louis Brossard doesn’t just shop on the other side of the world. It also highlights groups from Rennes. The local selection thus offers Mokhtar, an instrumental group which distills oriental funk with a disco flavor. “There is an instrument in this group that we rarely see in rock, the bassoon, electrified here,” he describes.
Yamê, new rap phenomenon
His five concerts are sold out. With his “hybrid hip-hop” style, French rapper Yamê is a victim of his success. It’s not so much a discovery anymore. Since the publication 6 months ago of his Bécane clip on the Colors YouTube channel (5 million views), Yamê has established himself as the headliner of this festival, against the wishes of the organizers.
