Airport Becomes Concert Venue: Charles de Gaulle Celebrates 50 Years with French House Music
Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport celebrated its 50th anniversary on July 17th with a unique concert experience: a free, open-air concert on the roof of Terminal 1 featuring renowned French house music artists.
The event transformed the iconic airport terminal into a vibrant music venue, showcasing the country's rich electronic music heritage. This was not just a celebration of the airport's history but also a nod to the "French touch" that has influenced electronic music globally.
The concert was a departure from the usual airport ambience, a stark contrast to the calming sounds of Brian Eno's "Ambient 1: Music for Airports," which is often associated with the airport experience. The organizers, the ADP Group, aimed to create a memorable event that showcased the airport's transformation from a busy transit hub to a vibrant cultural space.
The lineup was a veritable who's who of French electronic music:
Air and Phoenix: The two bands, whose names are a fitting reference to the concert's location, were the headliners.
Etienne de Crécy: The iconic DJ known for his 1997 album "Super Discount" brought his signature house music to the stage.
Benjamin Diamond and Alan Braxe: This duo, responsible for the 1998 hit "Music Sounds Better with You" as part of Stardust, added another layer of nostalgic energy to the event.
Inès Mélia and Izzy Lindqwister: The inclusion of these female DJs ensured gender balance and diversity in the lineup, showcasing the broader talent pool in the electronic music scene.
The event was a huge success, drawing in over 2,000 attendees, including VIPs and industry guests. The concert was also streamed live on Amazon Music's Twitch Monde channel and Amazon Prime, bringing the vibrant atmosphere to a global audience.
This was not the first time that Charles de Gaulle airport had embraced music as part of its identity. Past events have seen performances by electronic artist Rone, British pop group Metronomy, and virtuoso Chinese pianist Lang Lang. However, the 50th anniversary concert was truly exceptional, showcasing the power of music to transform a public space and connect people across borders.
As the world looks to Paris for the upcoming Olympic Games, this concert served as a reminder that the city is not just about tradition and history, but also about innovation and a vibrant contemporary culture. It was a celebration of the airport's past and a glimpse into its future as a dynamic space that embraces both travel and entertainment.
