Try and name a French pop star who isn’t Johnny Hallyday. Hard, isn’t it? But it wasn’t always the case. Of course, American and Brits dominate the Pop scene, but French popular singers such as Boris Vian, Charles Aznavour and Edith Piaf were once heard the world over. La Villette and other popular districts of Eastside Paris have always been in the heart of French Chanteurs and Chanteuses, describing this area with great emotion and poetry, as place where “la vie” is “en rose” and where you can hear accordion on every street corner.

You might already have seen this poster sold on the street. Aristide Bruant, sketched by Toulouse Lautrec, was one of the first figures of Parisian French Chanson in the 19th century.

In the 70’s and 80’s, singers such as Renaud or Dutronc contributed to making accordion anew.

Renaud, Germaine

Jacques Dutronc, Il est 5 heures, Paris s’éveille

Chanson française remains popular in these districts were Cafés-Concerts are incredibly numerous. A new wave of singers, such as Les Têtes Raides, la Rue Kétanou or les Wriggles, started their carrier gigging for free in Ménilmontant and have now reached nationwide repute. These new artists, privileging quality and finesse to easy profit, quickly became a real alternative to cheesy charts music.

Têtes Raides, Ginette

Slaming Paris

Slam Poetry as become part of many big cities’ underground culture. In Paris, the thriving slam community has quickly invaded Belleville and La Villette’s cafés. In these highly appreciated alternative soirées, it is not unusual that bar-tenders offer a drink to young poets. Some bars have even laid down this rule: one slam = one drink.

“Grand Corps Malade” is one of the leading figures of the Parisian Slam Culture.

Read about slam poetry and concerts on our french-language magazine.