May 17 — 21, 2007
A great artistic diversity was the heart of the 24th FIMAV. Several musical currents were featured in this edition: jazz, rock, noise, electroacoustics and multimedia, all delivered in an uncanny atmosphere.
Approximately 5,000 people immersed themselves in these musical riches, i.e. the same number as last year. In addition to maintaining our audience, we are renewing it and lowering the age average. We have also noticed that a large part of our new audience changes from one evening to the next, with the music genres featured.
This year’s artistic programming included a higher jazz ratio than in 2006, with performances from renown artists: Marilyn Crispell, opening the festival with her quartet; the Dutch ensemble Corkestra, brilliantly directed by Cor Fuhler; John Zorn walking on the stage of the Cinéma Laurier to deliver a solo performance worthy of his 30+ years of experience. And then there was Anthony Braxton, back with two projects; first up in the afternoon was his Diamond Curtain Wall Trio, followed in the evening by the contemporary jazz of his 12(+1) tet. The sax player led his band with considerable freedom and commanding savoir-faire, winning over many an audience member.
Several unusual concerts put the audience in a different context this year: Jean-François Laporte presenting his Waves project in the Cégep’s staircase; Theresa Transistor’s electroacoustic concert given with the audience surrounding the musicians; Victoriaville Matière Sonore’s relay work in the middle of the Colisée; Fine Kwiatkowski & Hans Tammen’s dance/music performance; the cabaret theatre of Larry Peacock, a comical yet serious reflection on women’s place in experimental music; and let us not forget the political / activist / humoristic / virtuosic duo of Kevin Blechdom & Eugene Chadbourne, whose performance ended on a gunfight scene worthy of Charlie Chaplin’s best films!
On the multimedia front, Joane Hétu’s Filature paired rock song, minimalism and improvisation with Pierre Hébert’s live computer animation. There was also a concert by the quasar saxophone quartet, during which Alexandre Burton & Julien Roy were extracting visuals and manipulating sound matter. Both of these Quebecois concerts sleekly opened the FIMAV 2007 to new media.
Rock and noise fans also got what they came for. Generous and bold, the Melvins literally swept the crowd off its feet on Friday night. The next day, it was Acid Mothers Gong’s turn to deliver a generous continuum of improvised rock. Koenji Hyakkei, the group of virtuoso drummer Tatsuya Yoshida was a pleasant discovery, with its fusion of fast-paced rock and the female vocals of Aki Kubota. In the same vein, the Vancouver-based band Fond of Tigers turned in a complex performance where progressive rock and New York-style avant-jazz were intertwined. With her Evangelista project, Carla Bozulich and her musicians captivated the audience. Carla moved us all with her breathtakingly deep and unique alternative rock.
Looking back at this year’s electronic and electroacoustic performances, what is striking is the friendly way acoustic instruments meddled with laptops and other electronic gadgetry, particularly in the mixed concerts by Michael Snow / Alan Licht / Aki Onda, Jason Kahn’s Signal Quintet, and Stevie Wishart / Christof Kurzmann / Werner Dafeldecker. Positive cohabitation seems to be gaining between these two major currents in creative music, all for the benefit of the fans.
Finally, our passionate noise audience got treated to an emotion-filled closing concert, with Daniel Menche’s unusual performance and the meeting between two Japanoise giants, Keiji Haino & Merzbow.
Eclectic, surprising and moving, the line-up of the 24th Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville allowed us once again to promote intensity-filled musical diversity. Thank you all, artists, partners and spectators! Your passion and support are what allows the FIMAV’s team to focus now on the 25th edition.
Our next rendezvous in Victoriaville will take place from May 15 to 19, 2008, to celebrate 25 years of amazing musical discoveries!
The FIMAV Team
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