Peter Gabriel, l'envie d'être sur toutes les scènes

Les Vieilles Charrues Retour / Le festival / Paru dans l' édition du vendredi 20 juillet 2007

Le concert de Peter Gabriel devrait être, ce soir, un des temps forts du festival de Carhaix.

Vieilles Charrues. Personnage dans l'univers musical depuis 1970, Peter Gabriel, musicien et homme de paix, se produit ce soir à Carhaix.

Authentique, infatigable et indépendant : à 57 ans, Peter Gabriel a encore envie. L'envie de la scène, d'être sur tous les fronts, de faire ce que bon lui semble. Contacté en novembre dernier pour reconstituer Genesis, Peter a dit non. Puis, peut-être. Et finalement... plus tard.

En 1967, encore à l'école, il fonde, avec Tony Banks, Anthony Phillips, Mike Rutherford et le batteur Chris Stewart, ce qui va devenir un groupe de renommée mondiale. Grâce notamment à ses propres prestations scéniques, à ses costumes étranges et aux histoires qu'il raconte entre chaque chanson. Mais, peu à peu, sa personnalité envahissante crée des tensions. Et lui, se sent à l'étroit. Il décide de quitter Genesis, en 1975, après une ultime tournée. Phil Collins devient le nouveau leader.

Amoureux de Soul music, Gabriel développe son style sous l'influence de Nina Simone, Procol Harum et Cat Stevens. Même s'il a connu des succès commerciaux et auprès de la critique, avec des chansons comme Games Without Frontiers (3e album) et Shock the Monkey (4e album), l'un de ses hits reste l'incontournable Sledgehammer. Ce titre marque aussi l'arrivée de Peter Gabriel dans l'ère du clip vidéo sur MTV, dont il remporte neuf des récompenses en 1987.

Suivront deux albums studio, mais aussi des musiques de films, des projets multimédias, une participation au spectacle du millénaire à Londres, et surtout des collaborations avec des artistes de tous horizons. Peter Gabriel est aussi le créateur du label Realworld, du festival WOMAD et le promoteur du terme « world musique ». Il est également à ses heures perdues écrivain, réalisateur... Il se consacre aux grandes causes, des droits de l'homme (il est le premier artiste à s'être engagé contre l'apartheid), à l'environnement. Cela lui a valu, en novembre, d'être nommé « Homme de la paix 2006 » par une assemblée de prix Nobel.

Pour les programmateurs des Vieilles Charrues, Jean-Jacques Toux et Jean Philippe Quignon, la présence de l'artiste à Carhaix, « c'est un espoir de paix, une certitude de talent, l'âme de Genesis, le monde en musique... un homme d'exception, en toute simplicité. »

Jérémy PARADIS.

Aux Vieilles Charrues, ce soir sur la scène Glenmor. À l'affiche également ce vendredi, Arcade Fire, Jacques Higelin, Ayo... et bien d'autres. Ouverture des portes dés 15 h.

Peter Gabriel aux Vieilles Charrues

Peter Gabriel, artiste majeur et engagé, sera, à 20 h 50, sur la scène Glenmor. (Photo DR)

Peter Gabriel. Un ange passe

Chanteur du Genesis de la période « pattes d’eph » et précurseur de l’ouverture du rock aux musiques du monde, Peter Gabriel est aussi un showman hors du commun. Preuve sur scène, ce soir, à Kérampuil.

Attention : artiste majeur ! Rares sont les personnalités du rock qui suscitent un respect aussi profond que Peter Gabriel. Rares aussi sont les stars de ce calibre apparues aux Charrues. Leader flamboyant aux costumes, maquillages et coiffures extravagantes du Genesis « prog » des années baba, l’archange Gabriel le quitte en 1975, avant la transformation du groupe, sous l’impulsion de Phil Collins, en usine à hits calibrés FM.

Le chanteur, adepte des expérimentations sonores, se lance alors dans une carrière solo aventureuse et couronnée de succès (les tubes « Solsbury hill », « Shock the monkey », « Sledgehammer », « Don’t give up »...), crée l’hymne « Biko », devenu emblématique de la lutte anti-apartheid, fonde, en Angleterre, le festival Womad, porte d’entrée en Occident de la fine fleur de la musique africaine et orientale. En 1986, Peter Gabriel devient une superstar avec l’album « So » et investit ses royalties dans le lancement du label Real World qui permettra à des artistes de tous les Continents (Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn, Youssou N’Dour...) d’enregistrer dans les mêmes conditions que les stars occidentales.

« Homme de la paix 2006 »

Les années 90 et 2000 sont marquées par l’album « Us » et « Up » et de nouvelles tournées qui assoient encore la réputation de showman de Gabriel. Consécration, l’an passé : ce militant du combat pour les droits de l’Homme est désigné « homme de la paix 2006 » lors d’un sommet de lauréats des Prix Nobel.

Current of joy powers The Elders' peace gathering

...Introducing him and Mr. Gabriel, the archbishop remarked that he should ask Mr. Gabriel to sing Biko - his iconic hymn about the murder of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko 30 years ago. Sir Richard's head snapped up at that, and he shouldered his way back to the microphone, saying, "If you won't ask him, I will!" Moments later an abashed-looking Mr. Gabriel found himself in front of the crowd, clearing his throat.

It was a fitting place to sing this song: the gathering was held on the grounds of South Africa's Constitutional Court, which was once an apartheid prison. As the archbishop said, "This was a place of tears, of suffering, of humiliation. People were detained without trial here, people were tortured here. But they didn't buckle."

So Mr. Gabriel squared his shoulders and sang Biko, every haunting word, and the audience - journalists and dignitaries and a row of South Africa's Constitutional Court justices - joined him with a low and rhythmic hum.

Tumultuous applause erupted as he finished, but then just as quickly died away, as people noticed the archbishop: He was hunched over, hands clutched in fists, weeping inconsolably.

"We stand on the shoulders of incredible people," he choked out, taking off his glasses and wiping the tears. "We owe our freedom to incredible people."

Mr. Mandela said, with what sounded like a note of genuine regret, that "I am trying to take my retirement seriously" and so would not participate in the hands-on work of his group of Elders. But he will, as Mr. Branson said, pick up the phone when he needs to, using his unique level of moral suasion to get others involved.

In the end, Mr. Mandela left the gathering to celebrate his birthday with his children and grandchildren, and the other Elders went to work. Archbishop Tutu, dancing a little jig, sent everyone into the world with a final observation: "We have been through incredible times and God has helped us to see that the evil doesn't have the last word. It's ultimately goodness and laughter and joy," he said. "Those are what are going to prevail in the end."

WHO'S WHO

THE FOUNDERS

Sir Richard Branson

British adventurer, promoter, humanitarian and head of the Virgin brand of more than 350 companies

"You are a thousand years of collected wisdom."

Peter Gabriel

British musician and humanitarian

"Many people around the world are losing faith - our dream was that there might still be a group of people we could trust. ... Whose strength was based [only] on the faith they themselves had earned through their remarkable lives."....

Mandela unveils 'council of elders'

Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was invited to join the group but is under house arrest in her homeland

Reporters on the Job

Momentarily Starstruck: Correspondent Danna Harman was in South Africa in 1994, during the first free elections after the end of apartheid. She recalls Nelson Mandela dancing at a rally.

On Wednesday, she found herself a few feet away from Mr. Mandela at a press conference announcing the establishment of a global council of elders . "He's one of my heros and hasn't been seen in public recently. So, yes, I was a little starstruck. I smiled and gave him the thumbs up."

That was followed by another emotional moment, when British entrepreneur Richard Branson asked rock star Peter Gabriel to sing "Biko" – a song about Steve Biko, the South African antiapartheid activist who died in police custody. "Gabriel's band wasn't there, so he asked the crowd to hum along in key. Branson started crying. Biship Desmond Tutu was bawling, and I teared up," says Danna.

Later, Mr. Branson, he asked Danna what she thought of the event. By then, her reporter's hat was back in place. "The elders are admirable, even great people," she replied. "But I don't understand the meat of the initiative. What are they going to do?"

Mandela celebrates with panel of peace

From left, Singer Peter Gabriel, Bangladesh 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, former Irish President Mary Robinson, former United Nations General Secretary Kofi Annan, Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Nelson Mandela, former United States President Jimmy Carter, former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, South African Archbishop Emeritus esmond Tutu and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson pose for a group photograph following the official launch of a new group, The Elders, on the occasion of Mandela's 89th birthday in Johannesburg yesterday.

Meet the Elders': Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Muhammad Yunus and Many More

They Assembled in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Tackle Some of the World's Most Pressing Problems

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, flanked from left, by his wife Graca Machel, British singer Peter Gabriel, British entrepreneur Richard Branson and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, listens to South Africa's Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu address the audience in Johannesburg Wednesday July 18, 2007. Mandela celebrates his 89th birthday Wednesday with a star-studded soccer match and the launch of a humanitarian campaign, joined by "elders" of the global village. (Jerome Delay/AP Photo)

The Elders, a new alliance made up of an elite group of senior statesmen dedicated to solving thorny global problems, unveiled itself today in Johannesburg. The rollout coincided with founding member Nelson Mandela's 89th birthday. After a grand entrance, Mandela, the former South African president, announced the rest of the Elders.

The members include Desmond Tutu, South African archbishop emeritus of Capetown; former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan; Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and Mohammed Yunus, the Nobel laureate and founder of the Green Bank in Bangladesh. The group plans to get involved in some of the world's most pressing problems -- climate change, pandemics like AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, violent conflicts.

It was an extraordinary gathering; a who's who of famous international leaders, with enough emotion to move some of them to tears. Under a large white futuristic dome, British billionaire Richard Branson and rock star Peter Gabriel, who conceived the idea for the Elders, gathered enough star power to change the world, or at least that's the hope.

"The structures we have to deal with these problems are often tied down by political, economic and geographic constraints," Mandela said. The Elders, he argued, will face no such constraints. Seven years ago, Branson and Gabriel approached Mandela about the Elders idea, and he agreed to help them recruit others. "This group of elders will bring hope and wisdom back into the world," Branson said. "They'll play a role in bringing us together. Using their collective experience, their moral courage and their ability to rise above the parochial concerns of nations ? they can help make our planet a more peaceful, healthy and equitable place to live, " Branson said. " Let us call them 'global elders,' not because of their age but because of individual and collective wisdom."

Calling it "the most extraordinary day" of his life, Gabriel said, "The dream was there might still be a body of people in whom the world could place their trust." Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who moderated the event and will serve as its leader, was moved to tears after Gabriel sang an impromptu accapella version of his hit song "Biko," written about a famous South African political prisoner.

Branson and Gabriel have raised enough money -- some $18 million -- to fund this group for three years. Also onboard are names less well known in the United States, including Indian microfinance leader Ela Bhatt; former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland; former Chinese ambassador to the United States Li Zhaoxing.

The group left an empty seat onstage -- symbolically -- for an elder who was invited, but could not attend because she is under house arrest in Burma, Nobel laureate and human rights advocate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mandela and Carter emphasized the group's ability to talk to anyone without risk."We will be able to risk failure in worthy causes, and we will not need to claim credit for any successes that might be achieved," said Carter.

Carter said the group does not want to step on or interfere with other positive work that nations or organizations are doing but wants to supplement that work. Several members acknowledged that the actual activities and actions of the group remain to be determined. There are no titles, no ranking of the members. And it is not clear if they will travel as a group, deploy individual members to global hot spots, or simply sit in a room together to develop strategies or assist those who are suffering find help. But they certainly have high hopes.

"I didn't like the title "elders," because I didn't feel like an elder," said Yunus to laughter, "but I like the idea." Yunus said the world is without direction and he hopes the Elders can provide some direction. Speaking of the Elders, almost in the way one would describe a cartoon about superheroes, Mandela said, "The Elders can become a fiercely independent and positive force for good."

Annan added that the group does not "intend to go and take on Darfur or Somalia and resolve it singlehandedly. We don't have a magic wand," he said. But he argued that the group could intervene and perhaps force parties to honor agreements. "There are certain crimes that shame us all," said Annan. "We all have a responsibility, and I hope the Elders will take the lead in asking the question: What can we do to move the situation forward?"Sometimes by saying 'this is enough we can't take this anymore it must stop,' we are making a difference," Annan continued

Mandela and Branson both celebrated birthdays today. At 89, Mandela looked frail. He walked with a cane and Carter helped him to the podium. But once Mandela got there, he stood tall and easily delivered some 10 minutes of remarks. "He, as you know, walks sedately," Tutu joked.

By KATE SNOW, ABC News Internet Ventures

Global leaders, soccer legends celebrate Nelson Mandela's 89th birthday

Nelson Mandela celebrated his 89th birthday Wednesday with a star-studded soccer match and the launch of a humanitarian campaign, joined by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other elders of the global village.

The elders event kicked off with about 250 people taking to their feet to sing «Happy Birthday» as Mandela beamed with delight before being helped to the stage by his wife and Carter.
«How God must love South Africa to have given us such a priceless gift,» Desmond Tutu, South Africa's former Anglican archbishop and chairman of the elders group, told Mandela. «You bowled us all over by your graciousness, magnanimity and generosity of spirit.

Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against apartheid. Released in 1990, he led negotiations to end decades of white rule. In 1994, in South Africa's first fully democratic elections, he was elected president. He left office in 1999 but has continued to work to reduce poverty, illiteracy and AIDS in Africa.

The Elders stems from an idea of British entrepreneur Richard Branson, who shares a birthday with Mandela, and musician Peter Gabriel, who were present at Wednesday's launch.

The Elders, who include several Nobel peace laureates _ among them Mandela _ are dedicated to finding new ways to foster peace and resolve global crises, and to supporting the next generation of leaders.

The Elders are Annan; Ela Bhatt, a women's rights campaigner from India; former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland; Carter; Li Zhaoxing, a former Chinese envoy to the U.N. who started his diplomatic career in Africa; Mandela's wife Graca Machel, a longtime campaigner for children's rights; Mandela; former Irish President Mary Robinson; Tutu; and Muhammad Yunus, founder of the pioneering micro-credit institution known as Grameen Bank.

«I am confident that The Elders can become real role models. They will support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict and inspire hope where there is despair,» Mandela said. «This initiative cannot have come at a more appropriate time. It brings together an extraordinary collection of people with skills and diversity to undertake what we know is an enormous task.

Mandela, who walked with difficulty Wednesday and was not expected to take an active role in the new group, joked about his attempts to stay in retirement. While still maintaining his ramrod straight posture and calm deportment, Mandela is struggling to walk, his ankles badly swollen. He appears thinner but less frail than he has at other recent appearances.

The atmosphere swung from tears to laughter Wednesday. At one point, Gabriel sang his «Biko» unaccompanied, leaving Tutu weeping. Black leader Steve Biko died at the hands of the apartheid security forces 30 years ago.

The Elders have received US$18 million in funding over three years from Branson and others. The members were to decide their priorities over the next few months, and would work with established groups. Questioned about how effective the group could be, Carter said: «My prayer is that the great potential of The Elders might be realized though sound judgment and through dedication and courage.

The Elders event was part of a week of birthday festivities featuring visits by Mandela's many friends, including former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Messages of support rolled in all day from all corners of the world. «The country and the world are privileged to celebrate the life of such an outstanding leader of our people,» said President Thabo Mbeki, who succeeded Mandela in 1999.

Later Wednesday, retired Brazilian soccer star Pele and three-time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o, of Cameroon, were to be among more than 50 past and present stars of the game taking part in «90 Minutes for Mandela» match later on Wednesday. Mandela, who is not expected to attend the game, smiled Tuesday as he received an official match jersey with the number 89 _ his age _ emblazoned on it. The match, to be played in Cape Town, will pit Africa against the rest of the world. Before the match, Jack Warner, vice president of FIFA, the world soccer organization, conferred honorary membership on the Makana Football Association, the soccer league formed by prisoners on Robben Island, where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Separated from his comrades, Mandela watched the games from his cell window until authorities built a wall to isolate him further. «During the dark years of our incarceration, the association drew together all the prisoners on the island around the beautiful game of soccer,» Mandela said. «In this way it helped uphold the values of tolerance, of inclusiveness and reconciliation, and of non-racialism and peace that are still dear to all of us today.

On the Web www.theElders.org

Sinead O'Connor en terres celtiques

Sinead O'Connor est celte, d'Irlande, et les Bretons sont un peuple frère. Elle viendra donc chanter le 22 juillet à Carhaix, lieu de païennes célébrations où s'ouvre, le 19, le gargantuesque festival des Vieilles Charrues. Cheveux ras et regard enfiévré, l'enfant de Dublin sera ensuite, le 5 août, au Festival interceltique de Lorient qu'elle a fréquenté dans une vie antérieure, quand elle était pop star - un système "faux et hypocrite" auquel elle a tourné le dos en 2003.

Sinead O'Connor avait alors fait un passage par les ordres - une secte catholique qui l'avait ordonnée Soeur Bernadette Marie. On l'avait crue entrée en religion : que nenni ! Celle qui brûla une photo du pape Jean Paul II pour protester contre les carcans moraux était simplement revenue à la métaphysique, à la morale et aux écritures, explique-t-elle.

Paru en juin, son dernier album s'intitule Theology. Il est double (onze chansons, enregistrées deux fois, en acoustique à Dublin, électrifiées à Londres). Ecoeurée des moeurs de l'industrie discographique, la belle Irlandaise a lié son sort au petit label discographique, Keltia Musique, basé à Quimper.

La voix éternelle de Nothing Compares 2 U a pu réaliser, dit-elle, tout ce qu'elle voulait avec les Quimpérois : un album de chansons traditionnelles irlandaises, un autre de reggae et enfin ce condensé de vision de Dieu. Les militants de Carhaix s'y reconnaîtront, eux qui ont bâti l'un des plus grands festivals européens, en fréquentation, sur un désert culturel et économique.

Sinead O'Connor devra convaincre dans les prairies de Centre-Bretagne qu'elle est encore la resplendissante chanteuse de Fire On Babylon. Elle devra captiver l'attention de spectateurs venus par dizaines de milliers, au milieu d'un programme pantagruélique, où figure Charles Aznavour en aussi bonne place qu'Arcade Fire ou Peter Gabriel.

Sinead O'Connor est âgée de 40 ans, elle a quatre enfants de quatre pères différents. Le dernier, né en décembre 2006, s'appelle Yeshua, "le salut" en hébreu. Le père, Frank Bonadio, a défrayé la chronique en Irlande pour avoir longtemps hésité entre Sinead et son ex-femme, la chanteuse Mary Coughlan. Déjà une histoire interceltique.

Véronique Mortaigne, Article paru dans l'édition du monde du 19.07.07

Nelson Mandela lance un groupe de réflexion d'ex-leaders

L'ex-président sud-africain Nelson Mandela a lancé mercredi à Johannesburg, à l'occasion de son 89e anniversaire, un groupe de réflexion sur les problèmes de la planète, réunissant d'anciens leaders mondiaux comme Kofi Annan ou Jimmy Carter.

Le héros de la lutte contre l'apartheid, vêtu d'une somptueuse chemise grise, est arrivé au bras de son épouse Graça Machel, en s'appuyant sur une canne, dans le dôme de Constitution Hill qui sous l'apartheid abritait une prison.

Souriant comme à l'accoutumée, Mandela, qui fêtait également ses neuf ans de mariage, a salué ces anciens dirigeants pour avoir accepté de mettre «leur indépendance et leur intégrité» au service «d'un monde meilleur».

«Ce groupe peut parler librement et avec assurance, a-t-il déclaré. Ils n'ont pas de carrière à construire, d'élections à gagner ou d'électeurs à satisfaire.»

Pour le prix Nobel de la Paix, ces «Anciens» tireront leur force de cette autonomie: «Ils peuvent parler avec qui ils veulent», même si ce n'est «pas populaire».

«Quasi imperméable aux critiques extérieures, le groupe pourra conduire librement des analyses sur des questions complexes et partager ses idées», a renchéri l'ex président des États-Unis, Jimmy Carter.

L'idée de réunir d'anciens leaders est née en 2001 dans l'esprit du patron du groupe Virgin, Richard Branson, et du chanteur Peter Gabriel, qui en ont fait part à Mandela, la personne la plus admirée au monde selon un sondage canadien publié l'an dernier.

Mandela a réuni autour de lui Jimmy Carter, mais aussi l'ex secrétaire général des Nations unies, Kofi Annan, l'archevêque sud-africain et également prix Nobel de la paix, Desmond Tutu, l'ancienne présidente irlandaise Mary Robinson ou encore Muhammad Yunnus, prix Nobel de la paix 2006 pour ses travaux sur le microcrédit.

Le premier président noir d'Afrique du Sud (1994-99), qui s'est retiré de la vie publique en 2004 et limite ses apparitions publiques, ne sera pas un membre actif du groupe, qui prévoit de se réunir «au moins deux fois par an dans des endroits différents», selon Mgr Tutu.

«J'aurais aimé en être», a regretté Madiba --surnom clanique et affectueux de Mandela-- en souhaitant bonne chance à ses anciens collègues. «J'espère qu'ils parviendront à apporter de la lumière là où l'obscurité affecte le monde.»

«Les Anciens» disposent d'un budget initial de 18 millions de dollars, provenant en partie d'un don de Richard Branson. Ils prévoient d'aborder des thèmes généraux, comme le changement climatique ou les pandémies, mais espèrent également contribuer à la résolution de conflits locaux.

«Dans les sociétés traditionnelles, les anciens jouaient toujours un rôle dans la résolution des conflits, la réflexion à long terme, et apportaient leur sagesse», a rappelé Peter Gabriel, qui a tiré des larmes à Mgr Tutu en entonnant sa chanson consacrée à Steve Biko, militant anti-apartheid mort en détention en 1977.

«Les Anciens ne prétendent pas avoir de pouvoirs magiques», a souligné Kofi Annan, mais offrent «leur expérience». «Ils pourront réussir, comme ils pourront échouer. Mais en travaillant ensemble, nous devrions faire une petite différence dans ce monde.»

Mandela devait ensuite fêter son anniversaire en famille et suivre à la télévision un match de gala, réunissant des légendes du football comme le Brésilien Pelé et le Néerlandais Ruud Gullit, organisé en son honneur dans la soirée au Cap (sud-ouest).

Selon un sondage publié dans la presse locale mercredi, Mandela n'a jamais été aussi populaire dans son pays. Appelés à lui donner une note sur 10, les Sud-Africains lui ont décerné un 9,2 contre 8,2 en 1999, quand il a quitté le pouvoir.

Football et humanitaire pour les 89 ans de Mandela

L'ancien président sud-africain Nelson Mandela fêtait ses 89 ans mercredi. Un anniversaire célébré en grande pompe, avec un match de football rassemblant des gloires du ballon rond, dont Pelé et Karembeu, et le lancement d'une campagne humanitaire pour le développement et la paix, en présence de plusieurs autres prix Nobel de la paix.

Des messages de soutien ont commencé à lui parvenir de toute la planète. "Le pays et le monde ont le privilège de fêter un dirigeant aussi remarquable", a notamment déclaré le président sud-africain Thabo Mbeki, qui a succédé à Nelson Mandela en 1999.

Le Congrès des Syndicats d'Afrique du Sud, la plus grande fédération syndicale du pays, a affirmé qu'il avait "fait plus qu'aucun autre pour forger l'histoire de l'Afrique du Sud et nous aider à gagner la démocratie et la liberté".

Mandela a été emprisonné pendant près de 30 ans en raison de sa lutte contre l'apartheid. Libéré en 1990, il a mené les négociations pour mettre fin à la ségrégation raciale en Afrique du Sud avant de devenir président du pays en 1994, dans le cadre des premières élections réellement démocratiques du pays. Il a reçu le prix Nobel de la paix en 1993 avec Frederik de Klerk, dernier président de l'apartheid.

Il a quitté le pouvoir en 1999 mais a continué à travailler pour réduire la pauvreté, l'illettrisme et le SIDA en Afrique.

La semaine de festivités organisées pour son anniversaire sera marquée par les visites de nombreux amis de Mandela, notamment l'ancien président américain Bill Clinton. Une fête pour les enfants clôturera la semaine de festivités mardi prochain.

Le coup d'envoi a été donné mercredi avec un "Happy Birthday" chanté lors d'une cérémonie marquant le lancement d'un groupe baptisé "The Elders" ("Les Aînés"), destiné à oeuvrer en faveur de la paix dans le monde, à résoudre les crises internationales et à soutenir la prochaine génération de dirigeants.

Parmi ces "aînés" figurent notamment l'ancien secrétaire général de l'ONU Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, une militante indienne des droits de l'Homme, l'ancien Premier ministre norvégien Gro Harlem Brundtland, l'ancien président américain Jimmy Carter, l'épouse de Mandela, Graca Machel, l'ancienne présidente irlandaise Mary Robinson, l'ex-archevêque sud-africain Desmond Tutu, ou encore Muhammad Yunus, chantre du micro-crédit et fondateur de la Grameen Bank.

Mercredi, Mandela a affirmé que ce groupe, qui comprend plusieurs lauréats du prix Nobel de la paix, "soutiendra le courage là où il y a la peur, encouragera l'accord là où il y a conflit, et inspirera l'espoir là où il y a désespoir".

Les "Aînés" décideront de leurs priorités dans les mois qui viennent et travailleront avec des groupes constitués. Le milliardaire britannique Richard Branson et le chanteur Peter Gabriel, qui sont à l'origine du projet, ont expliqué que le monde avait besoin de tels "aînés", en qui l'on ait confiance, et capables de parler de manière libre et indépendante.

Plus tard dans la journée, l'ancienne star brésilienne du football Pelé, le Camerounais Samuel Eto'o, consacré à trois reprises meilleur joueur africain de l'année, ou encore le Français Christian Karembeu, champion du monde 1998, devaient faire partie des quelque 50 stars passées et actuelles disputant au Cap un match de football baptisé "90 minutes pour Mandela". L'Afrique devait être opposée au reste du monde à l'occasion de ce match de gala.

Richard Branson forms a band of 'Elders' with Mandela, Carter, Tutu and others

Melding serious statesmanship and a large slug of audacity, the former South African president Nelson Mandela and a clutch of world-famous figures plan to announce on Wednesday a private alliance to launch diplomatic assaults on the globe's most intractable problems.

The alliance, to be unveiled on Wednesday during events marking Mandela's 89th birthday, is to be called "The Elders." Among others, it includes the retired Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu; Jimmy Carter, the former U.S. president; the retired United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan, and Mary Robinson, the human-rights activist and former president of Ireland.

Many, including Mandela, have been early and harsh critics of President George W. Bush and American foreign policy, particularly toward Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The group's members and backers insisted in interviews, however, that they are guided neither by ideology nor by geopolitical bent.

Mandela states in remarks prepared for Wednesday that the fact that none of The Elders holds public office allows them to work for the common good, not for outside interests.

"This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken," the remarks state. "Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair."

Whether governments that become the objects of The Elders' freelance diplomacy will agree remains to be seen. One of the group's founders and principal sponsors, the British tycoon Sir Richard Branson, said that those leaders whom he had briefed - including Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain and the South African president, Thabo Mbeki - "very much support the initiative."

"There will always be skeptics of any positive initiatives, but these are people giving up their time for nothing," he said of The Elders. "Most individuals in the world would welcome a group of people who are above ego, who, in the last 12 or 15 years of their lives, are above partisan politics."

Precisely what problems The Elders will tackle is unclear; none have yet been selected.

A spokeswoman said the group would jointly decide where to step in, based in part on the seriousness of an issue and their ability to contribute to a solution.

In interviews, Branson and Carter offered two quite different hypothetical situations: The Elders might be able to help resolve regional crises like the wave of guerrilla fighting and kidnapping in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger River delta, Branson suggested.

For his part, Carter said the group might address problems like the waste and lack of coordination among aid organizations providing health care in developing nations. "The Elders won't get involved in delivering bed nets for malaria prevention," he said. "The issue is to fill vacuums - to address major issues that aren't being adequately addressed."

If the concept and the name seem a bit outsized - a diplomatic league of superheroes, one might say - that may stem from their ties to Branson, who rarely does anything in a small way.

In a telephone interview, Branson said that he began thinking about a the notion in 2003, after he sought to persuade Mandela and Annan to travel to Baghdad to ask Saddam Hussein to relinquish power in Iraq. The two agreed, but war broke out before arrangements were completed.

Later, after working on a concert for one of Mandela's charities, Branson flew home with Peter Gabriel, the British rock musician and human-rights activist. "I was talking about the need for a group of global elders to be there to rally around in times of conflict," he said, "and Peter said he'd had a similar idea, but using the global Internet to help elders relate to the world community."

Thus was born The Elders, named after the preeminence of elders in African village societies. Over the last year or so, Branson held a series of meetings at his Caribbean base, Necker Island, at which potential members and backers were recruited to the cause and asked to contribute their own ideas.

Carter said the meetings were a tightly held secret. "Before we went I didn't know what the meeting was all about," he said. "I went because of Sir Richard. We'd talked earlier about the possibility of a biofuels plant in my town, Plains."

Branson and Gabriel contributed funds to begin the project. Asked how much it would cost, Branson replied, "Obviously, it's not cheap." But enough donors have given money to finance The Elders' first four years of work, he said, and he anticipates that raising still more will not be difficult.

V2 on We7 4U

You’ve probably read about We7 — the advertising-supported free download music site. Some are calling it the way forward, others see it as grasping at straws. I thought I’d ask.

Recently, one of the bigger independent record labels, V2 Music signed a deal with We7 to release their music for free to consumers through the service, recouping through advertising revenue.

I’ve had some dealings in the past with Beth Appleton, the head of Digital and Business Development at V2. She introduced herself once as a reader of this site, and I’ve since come to know her as one of the smartest and most proactive managers at that end of the game — so I decided to ask her what the story was.

She kindly obliged with some answers.

We7 — isn’t that something to do with Peter Gabriel?

Yes, Peter Gabriel has teamed up with technology entrepreneur Steve Purdham and financial investor John Taysom to bring advertisers a new ad delivery mechanism.

How does it work?

We7 uses free music downloads as a vehicle to communicate personalised advertising messages, allowing brands to intimately connect with consumers on- and offline.

Why have you decided to put V2’s catalogue on We7?

We7 are driving a new business model for the music and the entertainment industry. V2 are constantly seeking to involve ourselves in new models and explore how music fans embrace these new ways of enjoying music.

Online environments, such as We7, where music fans can enjoy music when they want, where the experience to the music fan feels free and fun but critically labels and artists are being paid is an exciting legitimate alternative.

You’re trying quite a few different approaches to digital content distribution aren’t you?

The best way to find out what will work and what music fans want is to embrace, learn and involve ourselves with new platforms, technologies and business models. This is an approach which works for V2 and also we hope adds the edge to as a label when artists are looking for leading label to work with.

What’s having the best result for you?

Digital sales as a la carte downloads are very encouraging at present. Subscription models, which are still in very early stages are increasing in terms of people understanding and using platforms such as eMusic and Napster to access music.

The last 6 months has seen a rise in mobile sales and mobile revenue is now a significant part of our business which will only increase as the number of smartphones in the market increase and customer services via phones impove.

Are you one of the labels dissatisfied with eMusic’s payouts?

Not at all. eMusic is a significant player for V2 in the US market and the European service is still in early stages, we need to give services the time to gain critical audience.

Where do you think digital music distribution is heading? Pay-per-download? Subscription? Advertising-supported? Some other system?

I believe there will be a whole host of services, and business models all working in tandem. The consumer will decide which experience they want and when and this may change depending on the use/experience they are seeking.

Subscription services will extend to mobile with dual delivery and possibly will be paid for as part of another subscription eg. Sky, Mobile contract, BT.

Ad-Supported models will hopefully enable P2P to become a legitimate platform and will enable wonderful discover services such as Last.fm, Pandora etc. to operate in a licenced and commercial environment.

Does it vary depending on genre?

Slightly — in the sense that genre can be associated with demographic, and demographics have different associated factors such as disposable income, time in the home/on the move, use of hardware (phone versus digital music player), and involvement in social networking sites — which will influence where they enjoy music and how that experience is paid for.

What advice would you give to smaller labels struggling with the online environment?

Prioritise where you spend your time and effort building relationships. Know who your key partners are for commercial revenues and where the important areas are for building community.

In most cases for a small label it is best to go through a digital distributor as then you don’t have to spend time and resource putting contracts in place and getting involved in the technical delivery problems. You can then concentrate on the marketing and promotion building the necessary profile and involvement with the fanbase to build the excitement.

What does V2 know that the major labels don’t?

We understand how music fans like to enjoy music digitally and ensure that we make our music available in this way. We distribute our music as MP3s and subscription services as well as ad-funded models.

We embrace P2P and new business models. We are forward thinking and are keen to explore what technology can do (as an art) rather than what we need to do to restrict and control.

And — quick plug: who’s your Next Big Thing?

Blood Red Shoes

Peter Gabriel & Crowded House live in Marlay Park, Dublin

Peter Gabriel live 2007

Review Snapshot: Despite appalling weather conditions, Crowded House and Peter Gabriel managed to delight a field of sodden punters with two excellent, crowd pleasing sets.

Full review: Sometimes, just sometimes, you go to a gig that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. For me, the Crowded House / Peter Gabriel double header at Marlay Park was one of those. It seemed like an odd pairing to me when I first heard it announced - although I’m a big fan of both acts, it didn’t seem to me that they had anything in common in terms of their musical styles. I also felt a bit miffed that the House, who had a pretty big following back in the day, weren’t headlining.

The appalling weather in the week preceding the gig didn’t bode well for the event. Myself and my friend arrived at the site shortly after the gates opened (oddly, all the security seemed to be provided by An Garda Siochana rather than the usual private security mutts) and had time for a leisurely stroll around the usual array of ludicrously overpriced food stands, t-shirt tents, and the other assorted tat designed to part us from our hard earned...

...Next up was Peter Gabriel who also delivered a brilliant set with many of the songs taken from his classic third album (for reasons best known to himself, all three of Gabriel’s first three solo albums are titled simply Peter Gabriel. Thanks for that Peter). Highlights here were No Self Control, Intruder, Not One of Us, and the beautiful Family Snapshot. Solsbury Hill was another masterful song which got a great response from the crowd. Gabriel himself was in playful mood, at various times leading band members around the stage in a conga line reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen’s performances. We were also treated to the shameless crowd pleaser of Sledgehammer. Although I’d come mainly to see Crowded House, I hugely enjoyed Gabriel’s set too and left Marlay Park soaked but happy. Here’s hoping that the rest of the summer concert season lives up to this standard.

South Africa, World Fete Mandela on 89th

Nelson Mandela celebrates his 89th birthday Wednesday, launching a humanitarian campaign along with former President Jimmy Carter, ex-U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other "elders" of the global village.

The initiative stems from an idea by British entrepreneur Richard Branson and musician Peter Gabriel to create a world council of elders to tackle issues such as conflict, AIDS and global warming.

"This group of international leaders will share how they intend to work together to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity in addressing some of the world's toughest problems," organizers said in a statement.

Branson and Gabriel, who founded an international human rights organization and championed the anti-apartheid cause, were expected to attend Wednesday's event, part of a week of festivities for Mandela's birthday.

A children's party that has become an annual fixture wraps things up July 24. Before that, events will feature Bill Clinton and soccer legend Pele, who will play in a special star-studded match to honor Mandela.

Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against apartheid. He was released in 1990 to lead negotiations to end decades of racist white rule and elected president in South Africa's first free elections in 1994. He left office in 1999, but has continued to take a leading role in the fight against poverty, illiteracy and AIDS in Africa.

Clinton will open an exhibit on Thursday that focuses on the late Chief Albert Luthuli, an anti-apartheid campaigner who won the 1960 Nobel Peace Prize, and Mandela, who was given the honor in 1993.

Luthuli was the leader of the now-governing African National Congress when the group embarked on armed struggle against the racist apartheid regime. Mandela was the ANC's leader three decades later as it negotiated a peace settlement with the nationalist government.

On Sunday, Annan will deliver the annual Nelson Mandela Lecture. The first in the series was given by Clinton on July 19, 2003. Others who have delivered lectures include 1994 Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Kenyan environmentalist and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai and South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki.

Pele and soccer star Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon head a list of more than 50 players taking part in "90 Minutes for Mandela."

The match, to be played on Wednesday in Cape Town, will pit Africa against the rest of the world. Proceeds are earmarked for social programs, including Mandela's campaign against AIDS.

FIFA organized a similar all-star match in 1999 to honor Mandela when he stepped down as South African president.

Before the match, a ceremony will be held to honor a soccer league formed by political prisoners on Robben Island, where Mandela was incarcerated for 18 of the 27 years he spent in jail.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter will confer honorary FIFA membership on the Makana Football Association, which Mandela, separated from his comrades, used to watch playing from his cell window until prison authorities built a wall to further cut him off.

Makana, a local name for Robben Island, comes from a 19th century warrior leader of the Xhosa, the tribe to which Mandela belongs. The British banished Makana to Robben Island in 1819 and he died trying to escape.

Mandela has long recognized the importance of sports in helping to promote reconciliation. He appearing before a crowd of mostly white fans at the Rugby World Cup final in 1995 wearing a green and yellow South African team jersey, sending a powerful message to white South Africans that he was serious about racial reconciliation. Mandela also was instrumental in persuading FIFA to award South Africa the right to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, a first for Africa.

Des gloires du foot et des "sages" du monde entier viennent célébrer l'anniversaire de Mandela

Nelson Mandela aura 89 ans mercredi. Pour son anniversaire, célébré comme chaque année dans toute l'Afrique du Sud, des gloires du football, des stars de la musique et les "sages" du village planétaire feront le déplacement.

La journée de mercredi marquera le lancement d'un vaste projet humanitaire autour de plusieurs anciens responsables politiques de premier plan, dont Mandela, l'ancien président américain Jimmy Carter ou encore l'ancien secrétaire général des Nations unies Kofi Annan.

Sous l'impulsion du milliardaire britannique Richard Branson et du chanteur Peter Gabriel, ils projettent de mettre en commun "leur sagesse, leur indépendance et leur intégrité pour se pencher sur les principaux problèmes de la planète", selon le communiqué des organisateurs. Ils devraient se saisir des guerres dans le monde, du problème du sida ou encore du réchauffement climatique.

L'ancien président Bill Clinton participera également aux cérémonies et un match de gala réunira plusieurs stars du foot mondial autour du Brésilien Pelé, du Camerounais Samuel Eto'o ou encore du champion du monde 1998 Christian Karembeu. Une fête pour les enfants clôturera la semaine de festivités mardi prochain.

Nelson Mandela a été un des principaux dirigeant du mouvement contre l'apartheid et a passé près de trente ans en prison. Il a été libéré en 1990 et a participer à organiser la fin de la ségrégation raciale en Afrique du Sud avant de devenir président du pays. Il a reçu le prix Nobel de la paix en 1993. AP

Mandela's 'Elders' will tackle global problems

Nelson Mandela will launch an initiative next week with former world leaders who have agreed to fly around the world to give advice on international crises. The high-powered panel of “Elders” assembled by Mr Mandela includes two Nobel prize winners and two former American presidents. The project will be launched on Wednesday in Johannesburg close to the site of the notorious Number Four prison where Mr Mandela was once held captive.

The Elders initiative fulfils his long-standing dream of harnessing the experience of former world leaders to try to find new ways to tackle long-term problems such as Aids and civil war. It was only when he met Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin empire, and Peter Gabriel, the musician and human rights campaigner, that the idea was made a reality. Jean Oelwang, who runs Virgin Unite, which co-ordinates Virgin’s charitable ventures, is to be the director of the project.

Sir Richard and Mr Gabriel will be at the launch. The Elders are Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, the former US presidents, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who won the Nobel prize in 1984 for his role in the anti-apartheid campaign, Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, Graca Machel, Mr Mandela’s wife who was a government minister in Mozambique, Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations, and Muhammad Yunus, the Bangladeshi economist who was awarded the Nobel prize for helping the poor.

Four more Elders will be introduced later in the year. Archbishop Tutu will chair the scheme, which is billed as a humanitarian initiative. A supporter of the project said: “Nelson Mandela has talked for a long time about doing something like this. He has had a vision of tapping into the power and influence of former world leaders. The Elders will look at global issues and conflict resolution. This will be their first meeting together. They will then decide what projects they wish to become involved with. We think they will be able to bring about real change.”

Video advocacy for all

Bringing human rights into focus

The cellphone camera wasn't invented for activists, but new media is increasingly responsible for capturing human rights abuses and creating a more populist activism the world over.

From July 15 to 27 at Concordia University, a group of 30 human rights activists from around the globe will attend a special program, the Video Advocacy Institute (VAI), organized by Witness, a human rights organization founded by musician and activist Peter Gabriel. For the past 15 years, Witness has donated video equipment and trained human rights defenders to use video and new media for advocacy and social change in their communities.

Each activist will arrive at the training session with a particular project, and they'll learn video basics and various strategies for advocacy and outreach, says Sam Gregory, Witness's program manager for strategic networks.

"Often video can fit along with other human rights work. It can increase community participation and engagement and be used alongside other advocacy work and lobbying. Video images of a massacre, for example, can't be denied by officials... video can force governments to put pressure on UN agencies or bring testimony of actual people to light," says Gregory.

Hseng Noung's campaign, for example, focuses on the Burmese military's use of rape as a weapon of war. She hopes to bring the testimony of women who have suffered sexual violence out of the country. Another campaign tackles forced displacement in Cambodia by putting cellphone cameras in the hands of villagers whose land is being illegally seized.

While VAI isn't open to the public, a special reception and panel called "Media, Human Rights and Action" will take place July 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the NFB CineRobotheque (1564 St-Denis). It features experienced advocates who use new media for social change. Also, be sure to look out for The Hub (hub.witness.org), a Witness-inspired online destination, launching this fall, where concerned citizens, activists, researchers and journalists can upload human rights-related media from handheld devices or personal computers, join communities and reveal human rights abuses. For more info, www.witness.org.

Le mystère Genesis

En début d’après-midi, je vais représenter le Maire de Lyon à la commission de sécurité qui siège avant le concert de Genesis prévu ce soir au stade de Gerland.

J’ai bien envie d’expliquer aux autorités préfectorales et aux sapeurs pompiers que je préconise l’annulation pure et simple du concert tant, en l’absence de Peter Gabriel, Monsieur Collins ne peut assurer une réelle sécurité musicale à l’occasion d’un tel événement. En vérité, on peut toujours rêver, mais il y a bien longtemps que Gabriel n’a plus rien à voir avec un groupe qui le lui rend bien.

Samedi dernier dans Libération, après le concert bruxellois du groupe, Eric Aeschimann s’interrogeait, perplexe, sur ce qui pouvait bien intéresser autant de gens à Genesis ? Il faut avouer que la question n’est pas simple notamment quand on veut bien considérer que « The Musical Box », le clone parfait de Genesis (période Peter Gabriel) joue quant à lui à guichets fermés aux quatre coins de la planète, c’est à dire avec beaucoup plus de succès que n’en avait le groupe originel quand il était au sommet de sa gloire.

Ce soir, plus de 40 000 personnes assisteront au show de Gerland c’est à dire presque deux fois plus que les Rolling Stones il y a tout juste quinze jours au même endroit. Comble du mauvais goût il paraît que le décor de scène de Genesis n’est rien d’autre qu’une calendre de Rolls Royce. Après tout, ce que les spectateurs apprécient dans le Genesis de Phil Collins c’est peut-être tout bêtement la réussite d’une PME qui travaille à l’international.

Quand on lui demandait pour les dernières élections générales pourquoi il allait voter (malgré tout) pour Tony Blair, Gallagher d’Oasis avait répondu quelque chose du genre, « avec Blair c’est au moins la certitude que Phil Collins restera en Suisse. »

C’est quand même étonnant que 40 000 personnes payent une fortune pour assister au concert d’un groupe suisse ce soir à Gerland. Genesis demeure donc un mystère, sûrement pas une surprise.

Phil Collins Regrets Genesis Comeback

Rocker Phil Collins regrets agreeing to reunite with Genesis, because the comeback tour has kept him away from his two young sons.

The singer has split with his third wife Orianne Cevey since agreeing to reform the band - and he hates the way the tour has left him thousands of miles away from Switzerland, where Cevey lives with their children Nicholas and Matthew.

He tells Mojo, "I'm not interested. My life is in turmoil. Frankly, at the moment I am living for my two little boys, so this tour is actually a pain in the arse because I'm away from home. I've been trying to keep it short. Every time somebody said we could pay for the tour if we do another four dates, I said no. I signed on to buy a blue suit: I don't want to end up with a red one."

The band formed in the 1960's and have sold 150 million albums worldwide placing them amongst the top thirty best selling acts of all time. Collins joined the band in 1870 as the drummer. But when Peter Gabriel left the band in 1975 Collins took over lead vocals. Collins was a hit on vocals as the band had a string of successful albums throughout the eighties including Abacab, Genesis and Invisible Touch. Collins left the band in 1996 to focus on his solo work.

Last tickets for WOMAD festival

THE last of the tickets for the Wiltshire WOMAD festival are being snapped up in advance of the three-day family event at the end of this month.

The World of Music Arts & Dance returns to its spiritual homeland in the county this year after a lengthy residence in Berkshire.

Founder Peter Gabriel, who has music studios in Box and lives nearby, will be headlining the festival at its new site in Charlton Park, Malmesbury.

Taking place between July 27-29, fans have been quick to take the new site into their hearts and have bought up nearly all of the tickets.

This is a very special year for all those connected with WOMAD as it is celebrating its 25th year in operation. WOMAD is also celebrating the festival's 25th anniversary by releasing a three CD box set that brings together some of the many musical highlights from its history. The forty-five track release also includes a ninety-six-page book and is due out at the end of July to coincide with the festival.

Set in a picturesque rural landscape in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, Charlton Park is a green, pleasant and spacious environment. Around 20,000 are expected to attend and the festival will feature seven stages and workshop areas, including a children's village. Alongside the new attractions the familiar entertainment will remain including, live music; weekend camping; a full programme of participatory workshops for adults and children; international food, drink, arts, craft and merchandise stalls and sumptuous site decoration featuring hundreds of flags, projections, visual art and temporary structures.
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Weekend tickets cost £120 and families are entitled to savings as two children aged 13 and under can come free with each adult ticket buyer. For more information call (0845) 1461735 or visit www.womadshop.com/ The line-up for the festival is now complete and the weekend will feature one hundred artists from forty-two different countries.

Villagers warm up

The village is braced for a visitor influx. Charlton may be one of the most peaceful villages in Wiltshire, but later this month the eyes of the world will be on it. Former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel has brought his WOMAD Festival to Charlton Park for the first time. For the last 17 years, the World Of Music, Arts and Dance has been held in Reading.

Now, tens of thousands of people will be making their way to the festival in the tranquil village near Malmesbury. The news Charlton would be holding the globally renowned festival caused quite a stir among residents when it was first announced. With the prospect of media outlets from around the world, international music stars and the many revellers making their way to the village, there were a few hostile reactions at the start.
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Chairman of the parish council Mark Wilkins said: "The initial reaction was very uneasy and there were quite a few hostile reactions. But, as time has gone on and people have understood the nature of the event, a lot have warmed to it. The WOMAD management has been working hard to answer our questions, which has helped people become more accepting and even enthusiastic. Now that it is going ahead, I think people are going to try to make the best of it. Quite a few people I know will be attending."

WITNESS réunit à Montréal des défenseurs des droits de la personne venus du monde entier

L'Organisme de Peter Gabriel (WITNESS) réunit des défenseurs des droits de la personne venus du monde entier

MONTREAL, WITNESS, organisme de défense des droits de la personne fondé par le musicien et activiste Peter Gabriel, est fier d'annoncer le lancement du Video Advocacy Institute (VAI). Ce programme unique et novateur propose aux défenseurs des droits de la personne du monde entier une formation accélérée sur l'utilisation de la vidéo comme moyen de protection des droits et de changement social.

L'événement se tiendra du 15 au 27 juillet 2007 à Montréal, en collaboration avec le Département de communication et le Centre du documentaire de l'Université Concordia. Il offrira une formation intensive -tournage, montage et diffusion stratégique - à 30 protecteurs des droits de la personne travaillant sur bon nombre des problèmes les plus graves de la planète.

Depuis 15 ans, WITNESS procure à des milliers de ces défenseurs issus de plus de 70 pays du matériel vidéo, de la formation et du soutien afin de dévoiler les abus des droits de la personne aux principaux décideurs, aux citoyens engagés et aux médias

Pour plus de renseignements, visitez le site : http://mediarelations.concordia.ca/ ou contactez Nadia Kherif, 514 848-2424, poste 4187, nadia.kherif@concordia.ca.

Renseignements: Nadia Kherif, Conseillère en relations médias, Université Concordia, (514) 848-2424, poste 4187, Cell.: (514) 262-0909, nadia.kherif@concordia.ca

L'Afrique prend la Bastille

Des artistes africains au Bal du 13 juillet

On a plutôt l'habitude d'entendre les flonflons des accordéons le soir du 13 juillet à la Bastille. Une fois n'est pas coutume, la musique africaine et ses représentants demeurant pour la plupart en France, viendront proposer ce 13 juillet, une ambiance de fête particulière aux Parisiens. Revue de détail des prestigieux invités.

• Alpha Blondy
• Amadou et Mariam
• Amel Mathlouthi
• Ba Cissoko
• Daby Touré
• Dobet Gnahoré
• Fally Ipupa
• Jacob Desvarieux
• la Jet Set
• Johnny Clegg
• les Tambours de Brazzaville
• Lokua Kanza
• Mory Kanté
• Sergeo Polo
• Souad Massi
• Zao
• Ismaël Lo

http://www.rfimusique.com/musiquefr/articles/091/article_16904.asp

Le succès fragile et coûteux de Musiques métisses

Sans tambour ni trompette, sans discours ni paillettes, le festival Musiques métisses d'Angoulême fêtait, du 1er au 5 juin, sa trentième édition. Une modestie à l'image de son directeur, Christian Mousset, ancien disquaire à Düsseldorf puis instituteur en Algérie, qui s'est installé en 1971 dans la cité charentaise. Fan de rhythm'n'blues et de soul music, il avait créé la manifestation en 1976 sous le nom de Jazz en France.

La découverte de l'Afrique noire en 1982, l'amour des musiques caraïbes ont rapidement bouleversé son identité. Pendant trois décennies, Musiques métisses aura porté — plus qu'accompagné — l'émergence de ce que, par commodité ou paresse, on nomme les"musiques du monde" et leur diffusion auprès du plus large public.

Musiques métisses a largement contribué à la vedettarisation de talents découverts sur les bords de la Charente, comme Cesaria Evora ou Johnny Clegg, vedette de la soirée d'ouverture avec ses compatriotes, les Mahotella Queens. Ces victoires ne sauraient cependant masquer les difficultés financières et logistiques de ce rendez-vous, sensible, par sa nature même, aux aléas politiques et circulatoires.

Car il se trouve que deux des plus importantes maisons de disques indépendantes françaises du secteur — - Next Music et Mélodie - — mettent la clé sous la porte. Il se trouve encore que Musiques métisses, qui fonctionne avec quatre permanents à l'année, peine à boucler le budget de cette trentième édition. En raison de deux désistements, celui de l'Adami (la Société civile pour l'administration des droits, des artistes et des musiciens interprètes) et celui du mécène France Télécom, qui apportait 50 000 euros. Autre coup dur, l'annulation du concert de Cesaria Evora pour raisons de santé. Si la somme de 1,2 million d'euros a finalement pu être réunie, Musiques métisses reste tributaire à 60 % des subventions (ville, département, région, Etat). Sa part d'autofinancement est faible — - 25 % —-, la moitié environ de celle des Francofolies de La Rochelle. Soucieux de cette dépendance, Christian Mousset souhaite augmenter ses fonds propres à hauteur de 40 %. Au prix d'un renoncement à l'un des principes fondateurs du festival, la gratuité de certains concerts.

Musiques métisses lutte en effet pour la démocratisation de l'accès aux musiques du monde. "Avec les concerts gratuits, je me fais ma propre concurrence, note Christian Mousset. Les gens de mon conseil d'administration aimeraient que je sois plus rigoureux dans mon approche financière. La gratuité n'est pas viable économiquement, elle permet de faire partager au plus grand nombre. Son abandon nous coupera d'une partie du public, celui des quartiers. L'idéal serait un site avec un droit d'entrée modeste, comme c'est le cas au Womad - World of Music Arts and Dance, organisation de promotion des cultures du monde fondée par le chanteur britannique Peter Gabriel -."

Ville de plus de 100 000 habitants, Angoulême abrite des communautés d'origine maghrébine (elle a hébergé un camp de harkis), ouest-africaine et comorienne. A l'année, Musiques métisses mène des actions auprès des populations défavorisées (notamment dans les lycées) tout en défendant le commerce équitable et le développement durable.

Comment concilier ces interventions sociales et les contraintes économiques d'un festival ? L'inflation des frais fixes, comme ceux de gardiennage et de sécurité, pèse lourdement. Heureusement, le festival a su s'attirer la sympathie des tourneurs (Mad Minute Music, Vivement ce soir, Caramba ou VO Music) qui lui consentent des réductions sur les cachets des artistes. "Aucun ne dépasse 20 000 euros - prix payé pour Johnny Clegg et Kassav' -, confie Christian Mousset. Et personne ne touche le smic." Le cachet le moins élevé (6 000 euros) est celui du Malien Djelimady Tounkhara.

AUCUN PRIVILÈGE

Il faut ajouter l'hébergement, la nourriture, parfois l'équipement. Christian Mousset a pu acheter des guitares et des amplificateurs à des musiciens qui sont repartis avec. Enfin, il y a les transports, dont le coût a considérablement augmenté avec la position quasi monopolistique d'Air France sur l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Le festival ne bénéficie d'aucun privilège alors que la compagnie belge Sabena accordait des réductions sur ses vols de l'ordre de 50 %.

"Si vous voulez faire venir un Congolais, il vous en coûte 1 500 euros pour l'aller-retour, résume Christian Mousset. Sans parler de cette forme de racket avec les tracasseries administratives, la photo qui n'est pas conforme, etc." Accordés à la tête du client, les visas menacent directement la venue des artistes. "Il suffit que deux musiciens camerounais ne rentrent pas pour que cela bloque tous les autres, rappelle Christian Mousset. Je leur conseille toujours de retourner au pays. Surtout si c'est un guitariste de plus ou un joueur de djembé. Il y a trop de concurrence en France."

Comment ne pas céder à la tentation de l'émigration ? "En dix jours, ces musiciens touchent en France l'équivalent de ce qu'ils gagnent chez eux en vingt mois, estime Mousset. A cause de la piraterie, il n'y a plus de travail dans les studios en Afrique." Et de rappeler cette triste réalité : "Un musicien qui joue dans une boîte de nuit de Kinshasa touche entre 1 et 2 euros par soir."

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