The buzzing seaside resort that is Cabourg, in Normandy, played host to three action packed and sun drenched days of music and general vibe français last weekend for this year’s installment of Cabourg, Mon Amour. Two stages, nestled right on the sandy shore of the English Channel, and a cherry picked line-up of 20+ electro and indie artists, all eager to play their hearts out to more than 3.000 people each night. For the larger feel for it, check Team Poule’s exclusive Spotify playlist.
The festival kicked off in style on Friday with Lewis Ofman and his poppy electro tunes, bursting with late 80s optimism and a general sense to rhythm that had the audience right where he needed them: on the tip of their toes, getting into the funky disco vibe of this smooth production that clearly shows his roots as a drummer. Coming from soundtracking a few Paris Fashion Week shows last year, when he was 19, his latest single Flash offers a fresh view on that.
Friday night then saw the local heroes L’Impériatrice take the center stage against an orange sky, and they played til the sun dipped in the sea, as evidenced above. One of those Cabourg Mon Amour moments, when the people in front of you seem to be wearing their orange crowns and everything seems possible. Must be fine sight from stage too. Friday closed with a banging set in the sand by New Zealand’s Mall Grab, pure and right on the spot.
What most beautiful about the festival is that it has this true vacation feel to it. You are right on the beach, in this picturesque little summer town, with the tide coming and going, waves making their way towards the food stalls and security guards, and back.
Saturday commenced in the boiling hot sand with a set by Pépite, effortlessly matching the temperatures with a dense 80s infused set list, complete with sharp riffs, rich beats and driving vocals that had the French crowd shaking their knees and rosé glasses. Après, the one woman sensation Alice et Moi took the beach side stage to unleash her high rolling take on electro pop, fused with folky elements. The banging Cent Fois is attached below at your convenience.
Another highlight of a sun filled Saturday included Vendredi Sur Mer and her vocals driven electro pop, complete with production credits by the aforementioned Lewis Ofman. The next highlight followed in shape of a set by Ed Banger’s MYD and his trademark beats and moustache, beaut.
Sunday then started with a banging set by Le Havre heroes Mezzanine and a dreamy one by singer Clara Luciani, including a marvellous cover version of Metronomy’s The Bay. The dream team of Jacco Gardner and Nik Mauskovic then took over the beach stage for a tropical set of their Bruxas productions. An absolute beaut with the sand tickling your feet and the sun burning your neck, further evidence here.
The beauty of Cabourg Mon Amour lies in its location and flawless booking. And not just that, the timetable is laid out in a way that you don’t need to make you own. You can just knock back and forth between the stages, feet in sand. This in turn creates somewhat of a camaraderie and mutual feeling because everyone sort of shares the same experience. And if it all comes wrapped in lush beats and French vocals, what more could there be to a sunny weekend in the middle of summer? If you will have us Cabourg, we will be back next year.
