LONDON: The Harrison

Friday 11th October, 2024

7:30pm

Event information

The trio Planchée is now well established on the French folk and Breton-dance circuit. They specialise in the repertoire of Eastern Brittany (known as «Haute-Bretagne») which is also the Gallo and French- speaking part, with the typical «avant-deux» 2-couple dances, and of course circle dances to sing along to. The pillar of the band is young fiddler and singer Manu Bouthillier, whose particularity is to add feet percussion while playing, singing and leading the dances. Dylan James’s voice answers in this typical ‘question & answer’ dynamic of Breton repertoire, and his unusual approach to double-bass participates in the unique drone sound, bringing in cello techniques, and preparations which create string percussion and sounds close to harps, gembris, berimbau or even congas. Yannick Laridon brings a smooth envelope to the ensemble on diatonic and chromatic accordions, with a strong Scandinavian influence, and is one of the finest representatives of traditional-style Breton playing, which blends in perfectly with his melodic partner on fiddle, both being exquisite dancers.

After a first album which was released in 2019, the trio are releasing their second one this autumn 2024, a continuity of their sensitive and acoustic approach to fest-noz music, and a celebration of their favorite avant-deux repertoire, one rarely heard and of which they are leading exponents.

Tireless singer and melodeon player Mike James has become a pillar of Breton and Welsh dance music in France and Europe touring with Yves Le Blanc and Twm Twp over 3 decades.

Brought up in London in a family with Welsh roots, he became an active figure of the folk revival scene in South Wales, before moving to Eastern Brittany where he eventually took on the local melodeon playing style, as well as singing songs from this French and Gallo-speaking area.

Now in his 70s, he plays solo for dancing and also shares music with his son Dylan – they are releasing their first duo album, «Dyma», based on ballads and music from the British isles and Brittany. Based on an invitation from the Panards Dansants festival in Todmorden to Mike James, they are hitting the road together this autumn, for Planchée’s first UK tour ! There will be a lot of dancing, singing, and maybe a few ballads to sooth your feet and please your ears some more, as they also have vast concert repertoires with Dylan and Manu’s duo «L’abrasive» and Mike & Dylan’s duo. Nothing can stop those passionate musicians from play