In almost 8 years, there have been many star DJs. Those we will never forget, those who will have made us live a timeless moment, or those we will have enjoyed seeing again, the hardest part is to remember just one. Behind the scenes, the work sometimes takes months before the expected artist gives an answer. And when the "yes" falls, the adventure has only just begun. Conductors of this organization where the unexpected is part of the equation, Ralph, Programming Director of the Village du Soir, and Olav du Nord, Artistic Director, look back at the biggest headliners of the Village du Soir.
In over 7 years since the creation of the Village du Soir and 500 events per year organized within it, how many "headliners" do you estimate have passed through the Village?
Ralph and Olav : About a hundred, all musical and cultural styles combined. It's a huge amount of work in advance, for each artist, to organize their arrival, because their schedules are always extremely full.
About the artists, can you name some of these headliners? Ralph : We had the German DJ Boyz Noize at the very beginning of the Village adventure, his counterpart Purple Disco Machine, Claptone (ranked #3 on the 100 most prestigious DJs) and his iconic golden mask, the American DJ Roger Sanchez, the French The Avener, the legendary Bob Sinclar, or Boris Brejcha who created a buzz 5 years ago with his concert at the Grand Palais, not forgetting Dubfire.
Olav: In a different style, Orelsan's concert in 2022 was an extremely strong moment at the Village, as was Raphaël's visit in 2018. We also have those who have transformed the test by coming twice, like the French electro duo Ofenbach or the French DJ Feder. Not forgetting Charly Black and his Dance Soul, DJ Kenny Carpenter, legendary DJ of Studio 54, the singer Post Malone internationally known since the Spider-Man soundtrack, or the Jamaican artist Mister Vegas.
What does their visit bring to the Village?
Ralph: It's a great way to attract different audiences, who come for the artist and discover the unique cultural and festive venue that is the Village. For audiences who are already regulars at the venue, it's a way to offer them a slightly different evening, an "innovative" state of mind that is part of the Village's DNA. Finally, I would say that for the venue, it also constitutes a factor of recognition, and demonstrates its undeniable and strong place as a player in the nightlife, culture and festive life of the Canton.
Olav: By programming these "guests", it is a small gift that we give to our "villagers", accustomed to discovering local artists in the Village, in a unique atmosphere. From time to time, offering them a concert with a headliner is the opportunity to spend a different evening. And if these concerts are of course great markers of visibility, let's not forget that the strength of the Village and its differentiating factor, is to book up-and-coming artists. These "gems" that we program, that our audiences often discover here.
Ralph: In this spirit, we are also thinking about new concepts, more pop-house, also less demanding in decibels (the place is limited to 93 decibels due to its location). Basically, our goal is always the same: to surprise, innovate, break down the barriers between culture and partying as much as possible... and this involves a plural offer, capable of seducing the greatest number!
As for the artists - these headliners used to playing in front of (tens of) thousands of people for some - what did they think of their visit to the Village?
Ralph: We have had nothing but great feedback, with a big emphasis on the great atmosphere! They are also very sensitive to the welcome we give them and to our great experience in organizing this type of evening, Olav and I have 45 years of combined experience in programming and artistic direction of musical events.
Olav: The “diversity/plurality” aspect of the Village, both in terms of its audiences and the way the place is arranged and decorated, also always hits the mark with these artists. For some, performing in a place like the Village is a first!
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