The first night of live music took me to the French entertainment and music store FNAC on rue d’Antibes, where a special showcase for young Canadian artist Chris Assaad had been organised. Shoppers and MIDEM delegates had all gathered to listen to Assaad, who greeted everyone both in French and English, before he started off solo with an acoustic version of ‘Pave The Way’.
Shortly after, his drummer and bass player joined him and they remained for the rest of the set. Chris described and introduced each of his songs, giving us the privilege to hear some new materials from his EP ‘Into The Light’ – which he said is coming out in about a month – and a good deal of insight into the tracks.
It is relatively easy to appreciate and fall for the folk/roots and reggae-ish musical universe of the young man who sings about girls (mostly it seems). whether they are good friends or lovers, broken relationships and life experiences. Stand out tunes were ‘Use It’ for its catchiness and sincerity, as well as the melancholy and the soul vibes of title track ‘Into The Light’.
Chris Assaad offered a lovely, intimate and truly enjoyable show to a very attentive and disciplined – or perhaps simply mesmerised – audience.
Chris Assaad (Photo taken with Instagram)
Next, I ventured the small streets of Cannes and headed to Morrison’s Irish Pub for the ‘Canadian Blast’ showcase. Indeed, the Canadian stand at MIDEM had scheduled a series of live gigs to present some of its best new talents on offer out of the country.
I arrived to an incredibly packed and almost inaccessible venue, where I just caught the ending acoustic set of Kae Sun. Even tough I could barely make my way inside or even see the stage, at least I could hear some of the poetry and soul-funk melodies floating my way, and what sounding like soft vocals of Eagle Eye Cherry.
Morrison’s Lounge located right next door hosted the Indie Night, so in-between sets I took a sneak peek, and was welcomed by a funky and lively lady singing to some recorded pop-dance tunes. No one at the bar seemed to know her name, but no matter, she had gotten a few on the dance floor.
I later found out her name was Gfire (USA). Although I wasn’t musically captivated by what I heard, it was her emotion and passion that retained my attention. After all, isn’t music all about passion?
Back again at Morrison’s Irish Pub, indie-folk band The Provincial Archive had just taken to the stage: four dudes wearing thick-rimmed glasses surrounded by an array of instruments.
Songs like ‘Art Museums and Tourist Traps’ or ‘Weight and Sea’ reminded me melodiously – and perhaps it’s the many additional instruments that they use like xylophone, accordion, and cello – of Freelance Whales. Whereas, lyrically The Provincial Archives are telling their very own enchanting stories with ‘Darkness Through The Day Time’, and taking us on a journey to their home country that is Canada.
Their performance seemed really short, but I guess that’s how it feels when a band instantly hooks you. Though MIDEM had only just begun…
The Provincial Archive (Photo taken with Instagram)
