The 14th edition of the “Les Nuits Guitares” festival was a great success, featuring wonderful artists such as Eric Bibb, Bill Deraime, Jugando, and Sanseverino.
To open the festival doors, as often happens, a “tribute” band was scheduled to meet the locals of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and tourists. This year, covers of the legendary Carlos Santana were planned, but unlike previous editions, the evening was ticketed. Yet, the audience turned out in large numbers to see Eric Bonillo on guitar, accompanied by excellent musicians and two lovely backing vocalists, a new formation for their group named Jugando.
On the second evening, a double feature! The garden of Olivaie offered two very different artists, too little known to the general public, delivering quality music. The first, Eric Bibb, straight from the United States, donned his guitar and his brightest smile to dazzle the “venue” with his soulful blues. The camaraderie with his bandmates is remarkable. They exchange, play, and laugh together, even with the audience. So much so that Bibb wandered into the crowd naturally after leaving the stage. Eric Bibb deserves attentive listening. The finesse of his playing was praised by a loyal audience and curious newcomers alike. Everyone appreciated this fine artist and asked for more. An obvious encore ensued, which ignited the venue even more than the main set. One might even say there were two full sets!
Then it was Bill Deraime’s turn to take the festival stage that same evening. The committed artist came with simplicity to present his convictions, singing, playing guitar, and interacting with the audience like at home. Accompanied by excellent musicians—keyboard, percussion, bass, guitar—who smiled when noticed, acknowledging each person attentive to their music, leaving a mark! The flagship title of their new opus is undeniably “Esclaves ou exclus,” a must-listen if you haven’t already. It’s worth noting that Mr. Deraime, for those only interested in the spotlight, worked behind the scenes as an arranger for Bob Marley and played keyboard for Cat Stevens, Serge Gainsbourg, The Police, Ron Wood, and even Julien Clerc.
The third and final night of the festival featured Sanseverino. Lined up with his musicians (banjo, ukulele, double bass, and violin), as expected, the artist kicked off his show (and I choose this term carefully) with humor. What stands out from Sanseverino’s concerts isn’t just the good music but also the transitions between songs, the improvisations before, during, and after, adapting to the context, allowing him to reinvent himself at each date. On that night, he repeatedly cast his gaze toward the illuminated Madrid Castle on high, wondering aloud, “What is that building? It’s distracting me…” Or, “I’m scared tonight, I have to be careful because it’s a guitar festival, so I better not mess up” (as if, knowing full well he excels at managing gypsy jazz ^^). And of course, he couldn’t miss this one: “Why are there chairs at the back of the garden? Don’t you want to come forward? The action’s happening here! We’re not in a retirement home!”
An excellent show, then, a night as we like, one that makes you dance, smile, even laugh, and, very importantly, raise awareness too. For Sanseverino is also an artist, a man, committed and involved in the values he defends. He even dedicated his tour “to Clément Méric, murdered by skinheads.” For this alone, bravo monsieur. In a world where information travels very (too) quickly and everything is forgotten, such engaged testimony is most welcome.
See you next year!
Find some photos of this 14th edition
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