16th March: 3 concerts in one day! It's a bit like being in Montréal this!

You may have noticed that most of my blogs start in the afternoon of the given day. That's because the shows at Aah les Déferlantes don't usually start until 8.30, and finish between 11.30 and midnight. Taking into account the chit-chat afterwards, that means that the long walk back to the hotel, through deserted streets, under gloomy railway bridges and into a similarly deserted industrial estate, yours truly hasn't been back in his room until about 1.00 a.m. Writing this blog takes quite a bit of time too, so  nothing much exciting happens in the morning.

Wednesday was a good day. First to the Train Theatre for a 40 minute showcase type concert from the band which, personally, I think should be up on the main stage: Les Surveillantes. This is their first European tour, and as Denis was telling me, the first time in Europe, for him at least. Their set was well received by the small but select audience.

As I waited for L.S. to begin, I found myself conversing with a guy who turned out to be the keyboard player for Damien Robitaille, who was appearing later on the same day. It's nice that most of the musicians are here for more than just their own concert, and are happy to chat with the festival attendees. Francois was telling me that next Monday's appearance by Damien and his band in Paris will have a brass section and two backing singers to add to the normal line-up of Damien, keyboard, bass and drums. Should be good!

After Les Surveillantes, another showcase event was to take place, featuring Alexandra Hernandez, but I wanted to head off to Valence, as Catherine Major was giving a short appetiser type concert (they call them apero-concerts here) in FNAC (French equivalent to er, HMV, Waterstones and Currys rolled into one.) As normal, I got there too early, but not having any food since breakfast time, and having partaken of a swift 25cl glass of Bourgignon dark ale shortly after getting off the bus, I decided that I would have to submit to evil and pop in to McDonald's. After that it was back to FNAC, where I established the location of the concert (there were notices, and guys setting up a grand piano and microphones and things). I bought Catherine's latest album to be released over here (Rose Sang) and also a Jo Nesbo novel called "Le Chasseur des Têtes", which isn't one of the Harry Hole detective series. Should be an interesting challenge! The mini-concert was due to begin at 17.30, and at about 17.15 who should arrive but Alain and Catherine, my new found friends through Facebook. Talk about an intimate setting - there were only ten seats, and I was in the front row, about five feet from the keyboard. I think it was a bit of a first for Catherine too, being so close to the audience. She is a Québecoise singer-songwriter, and a very gifted pianist. It was a privilege to be there, to see her playing from such an amazing viewpoint. Alain is an accredited photographer for the Festival, so he spent time crawling on the floor to get good shots. I just sat there and took a couple, which you can see here.

Afterward we talked to Catherine and Mathieu, her contra-bassist, who was to share the stage with her later the same evening. He had spotted that I was wearing my "PING FLOILLE" T-shirt (bought at Steve Hill's concert last November), and assumed that I was Canadian. We had an interesting chat, and then Alain and I had a swift couple of Martins beers at the Malvern. Then it was time to return to Portes-les-Valence for the evening's entertainment. Catherine kindly offered me a lift, which was gratefully accepted.


Back at Le Train I met up again with Danielle and Denis of Les Surveillantes who were there as part of the audience., I got a cheery wave and Bonsoir from Francois the keyboard player and  then having deposited my coat behind the bar, ( Did I mention there was a bar?) we went in to the auditorium. Catherine Major and Mathieu Désy were first on and they gave a stunning display of virtuosity and creativity. Absolutely brilliant! Both were extremely gifted instrumentalists, and this melded with Catherine's singing voice and creative talents produced an unforgettable experience. very special indeed.


After the interval it was the turn of Damien Robitaille and his band - a total contrast to the premiere partie of the evening. Damien and his band are equally gifted musicians, but to say that their style was different would be a marked understatement.

Damien's lyrics are clever, funny and at times risqué. He is a showman 'extraordinaire' and I'm looking forward to seeing him again next Monday in Paris.


So, another good night, and another walk back to the hotel through pouring rain. It was that walk, plus the possibility of a St. Patrick's night celebration in Valence, coupled with the need to get from Portes-Les-Valence to Valence station which made me take a decision which led to moving from that hotel to one in the centre of Valence, just five minutes from the station, and from the venue for the St. Patrick's night do. So instead of being in an isolated building in the middle of an industrial estate, tonight I will rest my weary head in the middle of a very attractive city, with things happening, and food available within three minutes instead of a 15 minute walk each way.