Duò Lavoà Lapò
Duò Lavoà Lapò breathes new life into the Occitan repertoire with fiery passion and raw energy. Damien Toumi and Manu Théron revive both forgotten gems and beloved standards from the many lands of Òc, blending them with bold, playful and refreshing inventions, interweaving vocal games, hypnotic rhythms, exuberant polyphonies and intoxicating trance-like moments.
Drawing from an ageless repertoire rooted in the popular songs of Provence, they prove that just two voices and two percussion instruments can tell, awaken and reveal entire worlds. Their patiently crafted polyrhythms playfully defy traditional codes, while their polyphony borrows from Mediterranean fervor to release warm, sun-soaked harmonies. Add to this the perfect match of their vocal timbres, echoing one another in joyful call-and-response.
But the journey doesn’t stop there. The two artists also collect, write and create new material hand in hand. Their music celebrates rebirth, the awakening to the world’s vital beauty and draws freely from both the sacred and the earthy sides of timeless stories. With rhythms that stick close to the rough edges of real life, they honor the wildly colorful, deeply organic tradition of popular Occitan song.
For one unforgettable evening, prepare to be transported into the vocal and percussive soundscapes of contemporary Occitania.
Ballroom of the council of state
Some places are usually reserved for tailored suits and official summons, the ballroom of the Council of State is one of them. But this year, you’re invited to an extraordinary concert inside this rarely seen Brussels gem. Picture a discreet neoclassical palace tucked in the heart of the European Quarter, built between 1858 and 1860 by none other than Alphonse Balat, the royal architect behind the reconstruction of the Royal Palace and the famous Royal Greenhouses of Laeken.
At the heart of this magnificent Mansion lies a magnificent ballroom where people once waltzed the night away and where, until recently, high-level assemblies met under a dazzling XXL crystal chandelier. Framed by two grand tapestries that tell tales and legends from Flanders and Wallonia, the room even hides a charming musicians’ balcony, a nod to the chamber music evenings of another era.
The Marquis of Assche once called this place home. So did Prince Albert and Princess Elisabeth. American ambassadors followed. And now, for one night only, you’re invited to step into this world of power and history. Come experience a concert that’s anything but ordinary.