La Grande Fête – Belcirque
Written by africancrest on July 21, 2021
‘La Grande Fête’ – the highly anticipated third album from Belgian band Belcirque – releases July 23rd, 2021. In what is a continually trying time the world over, Belcirque serves up the perfect tonic with their latest offering. An album teeming with sunny South American beats, heavenly harmonies, and tales that take you to another time and place. ‘La Grande Fête’ adds a Latin-American flavour to the already dizzying cocktail of Belcirque’s eclectic repertoire.
Born from high school friendships as a street-performing five-piece, Belcirque has blossomed into a must-see septet that has enthralled, excited and entertained crowds big and small all over Europe and even as far as South Korea! Such broad appeal is hardly surprising when considering the plethora of influences and genres the band embraces in their works.
The band has a highly collaborative nature, and with so many artistic minds at play, there is little wonder why Belcirque has such a distinct and utterly unique sound. That the bandweaves together swing, folk, jazz, and barbershop influences with African grooves and North American Blues is a testament to the sheer talent in their hands and passion for music in their hearts. Add a slight sheen of South American sunshine, and you have…
‘La Grande Fête’ – ‘The Big Feast’ in English – is a wonderfully apt title. The collection has a whole lot to tuck into and offers up a bevy of beautifully crafted songs and stories that explore and reflect upon life, love, adventure, and understanding one another as well as oneself.
Storytelling is at the very heart of the band’s work. Through a narrative or evocative lyrics, each song bares its own soul to give something to the listener, be it honesty, positivity, or a healthy dose of humour. Whether you find yourself on the salty shores of ‘Pontos’ or surrounded by the golden sunset of ‘Hora D’ora’, the journey through ‘La Grande Fête’ is a delightfully immersive experience. It is easy to sense and share in the enjoyment the band felt while recording.
The construction of the album was typical of the very atypical Belcirque. Requiring a sound-friendly space to rehearse, our Belgian friends found the perfect patch for their unconventional style – a glamourous, glass greenhouse! In an evolution of their creative process, it was there that they conducted relaxed jam sessions and built upon the inspiration that lead singer and lyricist Astrid Creve discovered whilst visiting Colombia. The sessions proved highly productive, and the band began recording in Brussels in August, arguably producing their best work to date.
Belcirque is so much more than an exceptional band. Creativity flows through the band and extends to the visual medium. The stunning music video to L’homme adds another bewitching dimension to Belcirque’s special style of storytelling. Furthermore, their live performances are a vibrant, circus-like cabaret that continues to thrill and put smiles on faces all over the globe.
Imbued with heart and humour, the themes of love, unity and beauty resonate throughout ‘La Grande Fête’ and give us all a reminder to notice what is good in the world.
Sample “La Grande Fête – Belcirque” below: You can also listen to the full album right here on ACR ALBUM SHOWCASE at 15:00 CAT
La Grande Fête
