By Rosine Alleva & José Oliveira – Rock At Night EU Editors
After two summers the loudspeakers of the Open air Theater in Colmar will resonate again ….Deprived of its major shows, so much cherished every summer, the heartbeat of the beautiful city is back to life! Of course it therefore marks the return of the Festival. A Festival with a very special flavor for this 73rd Editon, since it will symbolize the return between national and international artists and Colmar will live this famous magic every evening again with this beautiful shared communion in the Open air venue, the time of a show.
For decades the success of the Festival owes its popularity to an eclectic, popular and multigenerational program.
This 73rd Edition, from July 22 to 31, will also be marked by CLAUDE LEBOURGEOIS last programming. After more than three decades the artistic Festival Director will pass it on to NICOLAS PIERRAT. To celebrate this special return, this program includes new and regularly appearing artists, national and international : DEEP PURPLE + ALAN PARSONS LIVE PROJECT; JULIEN DORE + JEREMY FREROT; MIKA + CLARA LUCIANI; DAMSO+PLK; ZUCCHERO + ASAF AVIDAN; ANGELE + TSEW THE KID; GAD ELMALEH ; -M-; THE PATH OF JOHNNY WITH JB GUEGAN; the NUIT BLANCHE; BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS + BEN MAZUE.
A great program ahead! Rock At Night is looking forward to seeing these artists, with special thanks to CLAUDE LEBOURGEOIS for all these moments of grace, past and to come and so much missed these last two years. We’ll miss you Claude!
DEEP PURPLE – Twice at the Festival, 2003 – 2013
It’s been more than fifty years since these pioneers of British hard rock set fire wherever they go: one day, a smoke appeared on a lake, they made a planetary hit, Smoke on the Water. But it would be an insult to them to sum up their long career to this stroke of genius, so elegantly have they worked. Today, members of the historic line-up, drummer Ian Paice, bassist Roger Glover and vocalist Ian Gillan, plus Steve Morse on guitar and Don Airey on keyboards, keep the legend alive with their latest album recorded in Nashville, produced by the great Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper and Telephone) in a style that opens up new horizons.
ALAN PARSONS LIVE PROJECT – First time!
Alan Parsons started out as a producer, starting out with the Beatles – sorry! – and continuing his career with Pink Floyd on legendary albums, including the illustrious Dark Side of the Moon. In 1975, he formed the Alan Parsons Project with Eric Woolfson and multiplied the successes. We remember in particular Pyramid (1978) and especially the planetary Eye in the Sky (1982). A title like Sirius remains one of the most used at sporting events around the world. Despite Eric’s departure, Alan Parsons continues to explore new paths, keen on electronic music, with sometimes prestigious contributions including his friend David Gilmour, guitarist of Pink Floyd. The opportunity is almost unexpected to discover this multi-award winning artist, emeritus lab worker of the studios, on a stage. A live show, worthy of the legend.
MIKA – Regular artist at the Festival, 2007, 2010, 2013
Undisputed international star, MIKA embarks on a new journey, with his innate sense of excess, both musical and visual. Behind the colors and the glitter, as ELTON JOHN for example, hides an artist of great sensitivity, a perfectionist, who constantly seeks to renew himself. He takes us on his odyssey where pop lyricism, in a FREDDY MERCURY style, mixes with a thousand other wonders…
taking us back to the magic of childhood. Magical and enchanting.
ZUCCHERO – First time in 2002
He is the Italian class! An incomparable artist who has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide. A little more than 30 years after his international debut – and the eternal hit Senza Una Donna −, we never tire of his hoarse voice or his blues inspired by the greatest, RAY CHARLES and JOE COCKER. ZUCCHERO brings that little extra that binds him to the history of his country, that part of innate seduction that makes him irresistible. After his recent success with STING, he recalls to our good memories and finds a place that he never really lost: there, very close to the heart
ASAF AVIDAN – Twice, 2013- 2015
For ten years, ASAF AVIDAN has established himself as the artist of pure emotion, the one who leaves you on the spot, speechless. It must be said that this virtuoso artist from Jerusalem has an exceptional organ, a rocky voice, without any other equal, which can come to caress your senses from the inside. He plays it with delicacy for guaranteed thrills. His new show gives pride of place to his many past successes, but he also gives us new nuggets, among other discoveries, of this gifted artist.
BEN HARPER – First time in 2011
With his folk-blues, reggae and gospel influences, BEN HARPER has never disdained more electric forms. His virtuoso mastery of the guitar incites him to a rock approach that he has already explored with the INNOCENT CRIMINALS in the mid-2000s. No doubt the temptation is strong, but here he is again asking his historic group to a triumphant tour. The upcoming stage reunion can only delight his fans: emotion and sensations will be on the agenda of a flamboyant show.
Latest news! Alan Parsons live project concert is cancelled. For medical reasons, Alan Parson is obliged to cancel his European tour and therefore the one at the Wine Fair scheduled for Friday July 22 alongside the headliner of the evening, Deep Purple. The Deep Purple concert, meanwhile, is well maintained. Another band should take place and be announced in a few days. We wish Alan Parson a quick and strong recovery!
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Photos credit FAV
I was born in Portugal and lived the Sixties exploring the great UK Rock magazines: "The New Musical Express" and "Melody Maker". Ray Charles and Pat Boone were my father’s fav. I became “The Great Pretender”. Cliff Richard was our Elvis Presley. As a beach boy, with my first guitar, I met a beautiful French girl on the beach! It was the Summer of 69!! We got married and rock music was our dowry. In France, I became a Wine Genetic Research Scientist. One of my works contributed to the decoding of the genome of the vine! As a rock journalist, I’ve worked twenty years for the Portuguese and Brazilian Rock Press. I ‘ve interviewed so many great artists. Then, one day I met FRANK ZAPPA! I got into trouble for introducing my wife to "Uncle Meat"!
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