I love playing for French audiences, but even booking a show in a tiny bar in the back of nowhere here requires a sitdown with the proprietor, various family members and some friend of theirs that owned a guitar once.
And it's not surprising they take it very seriously - if the French performing rights society catches wind of them putting on live music, they are subject to heavy charges.
So June 21, Fete de la Musique, seems like a perfect day to get around all that and just go out and play. We've rented a generator and have a plan to go around to some of the more populated towns neaby, set up our PA, plug in the guitars and play.
But just to be on the safe side, at the suggestion of our friend Michel who would hate to see us languishing in a French jail, I checked the rules on the government's website. And found, to my amusement or horror, I'm still not sure which, this chart regarding the organization of this very spontaneous day:
This, for an event that gives the impression of being about freedom. And it's written there in the really fine print that one is obliged to inquire in each town what their policy is regarding public performances on June 21, "for the safety of the public."
But we're going to pretend we never saw any of this stuff, and play anyway. Is there internet in jail?
4 comments:
HAHA what a chart!
Better make sure you know how to play Jailhouse Rock just in case...lol.
ooh yes, it isnt simple...the only day when no performing rights are due...which is a pain, if they are your own songs. Have a good time, and keep me informed of turf war casualties.
If they do, it's sure to be wireless.
Extraordinary, but that chart is priceless. I wonder what the buskers on the metro do to get their 'carte gig'?
Hope it rocks.
Mike
Hey, we both posted fete de la musique posts...
I like yours though - it sounds hard to be a performer in the fete - I thought i was just a case of get your geetar and get out there....but hey, this IS France....
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