Even a global pandemic isn’t enough to temper the love of music: the Philippines is celebrating World Music Day with its biggest Fête de la Musique yet.
Originating in France in 1982, Fête de la Musique lets citizens celebrate music by making and playing it in public spaces. With other countries following suit, large-scale celebrations like free concerts and music festivals are also held yearly.
This year, Fête de la Musique Philippines is giving audiences the chance to travel the country—and the world—through music: #FeteFromMyIsland is a series of concerts and online events that showcase some of the country’s most popular destinations, as well as its best musical talents. In addition to the usual Metro Manila shows, live stages are also being held in Boracay, El Nido, and La Union.
“With the health crisis affecting the Philippines… Fête de la Musique still endeavors to stay connected with our audience who has been celebrating music with us every year,” said Alliance Francaise de Manille’s Executive Director Jean-Pierre Dumont. “Together with the Department of Tourism, we will give them great music as we also celebrate the talents and the beauty of the different corners of this amazing country.”
Local Fête activities kick off with three island-based stages on June 18 to 20; each concert featuring some of the best sounds and talents from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Then on World Music Day (June 21), viewers can choose to watch any of four simultaneous concert stages in Metro Manila, Boracay, El Nido, and La Union.
.jpg)
Aside from local talent the likes of Conscious & The Goodness, Curtismith, and Leanne & Naara, two foreign acts—French musician Raphaël and Swedish five-piece B Connected—are also joining in on the main stage celebrations.
All concert stages will be streamed for free on the Fete de la Musique PH, Alliance Francaise de Manille, and B-Side Productions Facebook pages. The event will also be available through the livestream app Kumu, where audiences can send tips as part of a donation drive to benefit local artists through Bayanihan Musikahan.
Follow Fête de la Musique Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more information on this year’s line-up and activities.
--
GRID Magazine and Fête de la Musique have teamed up to bring you around the Philippines through music! On a special episode of the GRID Magazine Podcast, we spoke to B-Side Productions’ Giselle Tomimbang about how this year’s festival came together.
