Geneva: the latest rap meets at the Alhambra

Lala &ce, Osirus Jack, Lesram, Jolagreen23… For his 7^e edition, the festival Transforme, at the Alhambra on Friday June 28 and Saturday June 29, confirms his taste for avant-garde rap. All essentially French-speaking figures distinguished by unbridled creativity.

This is a line-up that leaves no stone unturned and promises to bring together a changing youth. “Transformed,” summarizes the programmer Renaud Durussel, “it’s always the same mix of established and emerging artists.” On the discovery side, we particularly remember Aamo, a young musician from the Geneva scene. Not forgetting the winner of the in-house springboard, Enash. “We also want to open the line-up internationally, this time with a collective from the city of Lagos, Nigeria, Native Sound System, mixing singing, rap and DJing.”

We knew the Transforme festival in its traditional neighborhoods, at the address of the Ternier Vocational Training Center, in the town of Lancy. Why move to the Alhambra? “Due to lack of funding,” Renaud Durussel, who runs the festival with Mélanie Rouquier as director, tells us. “Turning the school into a festival represents enormous costs, in terms of infrastructure, security, and technology as well.” The advantage of a stage between four walls is that everything is already on site. “In this way, we ensure the sustainability of Transforme, by guaranteeing the artists’ concerts. We also want to show that this legendary Geneva venue remains open to young people.”

Professional training

And while investing in a new address, the event is trying an original organization. At the Alhambra, the festival will take over all the floors, not only the concert hall but also the café and the foyer upstairs, where the stands of nail arttattoos, vinyl records and other second-hand clothing. Renaud Durussel also clarified the need for awareness and prevention components. Finally, an outdoor area at the entrance to the Alhambar, at the back of the building, will be closed to create a relaxation area.

What about collaborations with students in training, the primary reason for the festival? Editing, ticketing, posters, videos, also surveys on cultural and musical practices: the apprentices hired by Transforme are always there. Educational activities continue, in partnership with professional sectors and businesses.

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