Artists rooted in the territory
If the musical scene occupies a large place in the heart of the Côte-d'Oriens (and more generally of the Burgundians), it is undoubtedly because this one is, since centuries, anchored in the regional inheritance as well as in its traditions. As early as the 15th century, the Dukes of Burgundy Philippe Le Bon and Charles le Téméraire oversaw the destiny of the Burgundian School, a group of composers who broke with the traditions of medieval music and laid the foundations of the Franco-Flemish School which then developed in the Burgundian Netherlands before spreading throughout Europe. 200 years later, the great Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) was born and raised in Dijon before directing the organ of the collegiate church of Saint-Etienne for a time. A statue erected in 1880 pays tribute to him today, in front of the Dijon Conservatory of Music. Centuries have passed, and the links between artists and their region are still as strong as ever. Thus, the singer-songwriter Bastien Lallemant, representative of a beautiful and demanding French song, was born in Dijon in 1972. He studied there at the Conservatory, then at the Beaux-Arts. Very attached to his native city, he still lives there. Born in Savoie, Damien Saez did not live in Dijon until he was 8 years old. He went to school there, then entered the Conservatory. If the singer left Dijon once he had finished his baccalaureate, he has always remained faithful to it; he often performs there and keeps his family ties. The actor and singer Lambert Wilson has a second home near Chablis (Yonne), but it is the landscapes of the Côte d'Or that first marked him, when during his childhood he went down to the Midi with his parents. "I was very attracted by the Auxois,aregion that I found very beautiful, green, hilly. The landscapes reminded me of a dreamed England " , he often says. However, the emblematic artist of Dijon (and the whole of Burgundy!) is now called Yves Jamait. Born in 1961, he waited until 2003 to release his first album. Thanks to the support of the famous host of France Inter Jean-Louis Foulquier, and of Patrick Sébastien who produced him, Yves Jamait quickly made a name for himself. Today he has become a must, he fills the Zenith in Dijon as well as all the venues in Burgundy where he often performs. Without ever forgetting to declare his love for his city, notably with his song Dijon la bourgeoise: "Je te salue, ma vieille Dijon, ô maîtresse burgonde./Je te salue, ma vieille Dijon./And nowhere in the world would I have liked to be born".
Particularly vivid scenes
National or regional stages, private or public halls, in the cities as well as in the countryside, there are many places of entertainment and artistic expression. Of all sizes. In addition to the Zenith of Dijon and its 5,000 seats, don't hesitate to stop by the beautiful Théâtre Dijon Bourgogne (Centre Dramatique National) which offers a superb program all year round. Located on Place Bossuet, in the Saint-Jean church of Dijon (known as the "parvis Saint-Jean"), the TDB also has another, smaller hall, the Salle Jacques Fornier located on Rue d'Ahuy. The magnificent Grand Théâtre de Dijon is also worth a visit. Located in the heart of one of the richest historical heritages in Europe, it was built in 1828. An Italian-style hall where opera, theater and dance have a great place. Still in Dijon, we also like La Vapeur. Labeled as a "Scène de Musiques Actuelles" (SMAC), this place of artistic expression was conceived as a small village articulated around a hall and a foyer in continuity with its square open to the neighborhood. It includes a 1,200-seat concert hall, a 230-seat club, 7 rehearsal studios, and a room dedicated to cultural activities. Let's also talk about the Fabrique de spectacles Kiki de Montparnasse which, in Châtillon-sur-Seine, hosts live shows in a small, warm 90-seat hall. It also receives artists in residence. Let's not forget the beautiful Théâtre du Rempart in Semur-en-Auxois, nor the chic Théâtre municipal in Beaune with its 320 seats. But the atypical is also present. A favorite is La Lanterne Magique, in Beaune. This is a unique venue, as it used to house the famous Calvet wine cellars more than a century ago. With its woodwork and exposed stonework, La Lanterne Magique has become an essential part of the cultural life of Beaune. Zoom also on the Café Parisien in Saulieu which has received the label "Historical Café of Europe" and offers all year round dinner-concerts, exhibitions and various activities. As for L'Ecluse de la Charme n°28, in Saint-Victor-sur-Ouche, it offers in summer concerts, guinguettes, and many other activities.
Festivals in all seasons or almost!
The Côte d'Or is home to many festivals. As elsewhere in France, every summer - and throughout the year - virtually every town in the département offers one, and often several over the course of the season. For example, "D'Jazz dans la ville" (Jazz in the City) organizes concerts every year (in May) in the city's emblematic squares in the form of aperitif-concerts, strolls and, of course, a big stage. "D'jazz au jardin" also takes place in July in the Jardin Darcy. The Tribu Festival celebrates world music at the end of October. As for the young VYV Festival, its very first edition (late June 2019) brought together some 20,000 festival-goers over 2 days in the Parc de la Combe à la Serpent. Before it was cancelled (due to health measures), the 2020 edition was due to welcome IAM, Nekfeu, Beck and Catherine Ringer. That just goes to show its ambition and the anticipation it arouses among the people of Dijon! Elsewhere, the Gevrey Wine Food and Music festival in Gevrey-Chambertin, Sons d'une nuit d'été in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the RootStock Festival in Pommard, Escapades and the Festival Musicales en Auxois in various parts of the Auxois region are just a few examples. And let's not forget Beaune Blues Boogie, as well as the Talant International Blues Festival and Musique et Vin at Clos Vougeot.
