Les Trans en Chine

Within the framework of the Year of France in China, a special edition of the biggest modern music festival in France, Les Rencontres TransMusicales de Rennes, will be held in Beijing on June 18 and 19 in Chaoyang Park.

Les Rencontres TransMusicales de Rennes is held each December in Rennes. In its 26th year of existence, the festival has grown from a modest project into one of the most highly acclaimed festivals in Europe. For three days each year, the entire city of Rennes follows the pulse of the festival, while people from all around the world gather to discover emerging talents and to celebrate music.

TransMusicales, by nature, is a transcultural festival and has been chosen to represent the vitality and originally of the new French musical scene. Les Trans en Chine or Trans in China will be a cutting-edge festival bringing the best of French music to Beijing.

Co-organized by the Centre of International Cultural Exchange (CICE), See China Concerts and Culture Limited, The Cultural Committee of Chaoyang District and French partners Association Transmusicales (ATM) and French Music Office (BMA), the festival offers a rich and diverse programme to a large and cosmopolitan audience. Eight live bands and seven DJs represent a wide range of musical styles, from tango to electronic jazz; maloya music from Reunion Island to drum and bass; electronic music to rock 'n' roll.

Over the course of two days, Chaoyang Park will host this debut edition of Trans in China, where an expected audience of 8,000 people is expected each day. Both events will run from 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. The venue will feature a large stage, "chill-out" and bar areas, a VIP area and a press office. The festival's opening night will be dedicated to visiting DJs and will be held at Tango (at the south gate of Ditan Park).

The biggest names of the festival, Gotan Project and St. Germain are not only well known in Beijing's expatriate community, but also by Chinese audiences. Denez Prigent provides a Celtic touch; Danyel Waro adds Creole flavours and hypnotic drums; Xmakeena, Bikini Machine and Digicay represent the different styles of the Rennes music scene with their instrumental drum-and-bass, vintage rock and cold wave; DJ Big Buddha brings a diverse world music collection; turntable acrobats Pat Panik and DJ Netic do much more than scratch records; Morpheus is an icon of eclecticism; Missill provides a heavy feminine presence; Bobby Hardcore Liberace brings electro-clash sessions. Added to this stellar line-up are two Chinese acts that performed at the past two editions of Transmusicales, dub producer Wang Lei and Kazakh folk band Iz.

Trans in China is a fantastic opportunity for Beijingers to get a glimpse into the most innovative and exciting music coming out of France.