“Along with July 14th, December 31st, and August 15th, the Fête de la Musique is one of our biggest nights of the year,” assures Max Dinuzzo, owner of 3 Diables. A similar sentiment is shared at the other end of Cours Saleya: “Several thousand people pass in front of our pub that night,” says William Apihssira, co-owner of Thor. “Our waitresses even struggle to reach the outdoor tables due to the continuous flow of passersby.” Thus, the pubs in Old Nice don’t need to pull out all the stops to attract customers on the evening of June 21st. Only a few “extras” are necessary: at least one or two additional staff for service, and as many for security. After that, customers come in on their own to sit and have a drink while listening to the bands performing nearby.
On the other hand, the competition is fierce among the music groups. To perform in Old Nice during the Fête de la Musique, they have options. They can submit a demo to Thor, get noticed by the staff at Wayne’s, or set up at Place Charles-Félix, with the approval of the surrounding pubs’ owners. Always positioned at the forefront of the event, they don’t feel it evolves over the years: “We have more and more quality bands presenting themselves,” acknowledges William Apihssira. “But overall, the Fête de la Musique is like a long drumbeat: it’s always timely, always in fashion.” Despite this, the establishment owners make significant efforts to ensure a great celebration.
A Stage in Front of Thor, Another on Rue de la Préfecture
A stage will be set up in front of Thor to allow two bands to perform during the evening. First, Markus Sylvan, who won a rock competition organized by the bar last week. Then, the group Rif Raf, a rock band from Nice, will take over for the rest of the evening. Why Rif Raf? “They’ve played with us during the year. They’re known and recognized in the region,” we’re assured by the Scandinavian pub. Similarly, King’s Pub and Wayne’s have teamed up to let musicians perform in front of their establishment. No less than five bands will play between 7 PM and midnight: “Each can play for 45 to 50 minutes. Then, we’ll have a little downtime to set up the next ones,” explains Luke Brandon from Wayne’s. Merla, Waste, XY, Star, and Breathe will take turns on stage. The pub’s resident band, Breathe, will then continue the atmosphere inside the bar until morning.
The bars and pubs here face a difficult choice: prioritize financial profitability or the establishment’s image. Because putting on a show significantly cuts into the evening’s margins. “When you count the musicians’ fees, the sound expenses and the salary of the sound engineer, you realize it’s not very profitable for us,” acknowledges William Apihssira. The goal of the Thor co-owner is different: to stand out from the competition to convince one-night clients to return to his pub. Completely opposite to Thor, Paddy’s, an Irish pub located on Rue Droite, wants a fête “of musics, rather than of music,” says Jef, the owner, adapting to his clientele’s tastes. The evening will feature a rock set, followed by Celtic/Irish music, and finally dance music to conclude. “The street animations are a bit our breadwinning,” Jef acknowledges. “Over the years, our relationships with these musicians have become more democratic and supportive.”
Face A of the Fête de la Musique
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