This weekend, the streets of Espalion hosted the 17th Bandas festival organized by Les Souvenirs de Nestor.
This weekend, the streets of Espalion hosted the 17th Bandas festival organized by Les Souvenirs de Nestor.
From 4:30 p.m., the city quickly filled with partygoers ready to tap their feet to the rhythm and toast with friends. Like an announcement of the arrival of summer, this event brings together all types of audiences each year; family, group of friends, music lovers, tourists… A single watchword; good humor. And that’s what we feel with each chorus launched frantically, a wave of positive emotions which, for the duration of a song, takes you with it.
From an aperitif, while strolling, it’s time for Janou’s emblematic giant aligot! Made with four hands, like every year it satisfied the most hungry, ready to continue the party all night long.
The time for the competition has arrived, at the microphone, Didier Zieba known as “Bisou” hosts, presents, supports and encourages like every year. His knowing smile at each banda reminds us that deep down, each participant is part of the same team, that of the musicians. From minute to minute, the audience grows, arms are raised, voices rise to the height of the brass and percussion present on stage; the party is in full swing. At this moment, each volunteer, each organizer perceives the reward of logistical work that has lasted for a year: Espalion vibrates.
At the end of the competition, Los Pagayos were crowned big winners, a band from the Gers which knew how to thrill the public thanks to its cohesion and its mastery of the great classics to the most original pieces. Holders of the Golden Nestor, they delicately slipped a word to Lyhanna and her family about the affair which hit the Gers and France last week.
On the podium followed: Les Ventres jaunes with the Silver Nestor, Union Musicale Auterivaine with the Bronze Nestor and La Bourandole won the jury prize with the Nestor Bruno Girard. Laura Joulié, festival coordinator, concludes this sunny Sunday: “ It was a great edition, the audience was there, respectful, happy! We are tired, but happy!”
Finally, each band, each musician and each volunteer is warmly congratulated and thanked for their involvement, their joie de vivre and their enthusiasm. Thanks to them, this 17th edition of the festival was a real suspended weekend, at the start of summer, a break of conviviality and happiness which is good for morale.
