In Sète, Gille Peterson’s Worldwide, a major festival: “The variety of sounds and new names, that’s what people like”

From the first dance steps at the old America’s Cup to the neighboring stands, transformed into a giant dance floor at the aptly named Théâtre de la Mer, the Worldwide in Sète has experienced many musical crossings. Starting this Monday, July 1st, it is celebrating its 18th anniversary for a week, a festival that has become major for many summers, also revealing its artists of the best of current music on the Olà beach.

“Oh my god! Oh my, 18 years… It’s huge to think about! There’s so much energy and spirit at Worldwide”reacts Gilles Peterson, the most English of the French, DJ, producer, label boss and inventor of this meeting, in cahoots with the Héraultais of Freshly Cut.

“Festivals are inspired by what we do, I’m proud of it”

“In eighteen years, we have seen the culture of dance music change and festivals take inspiration from what we do, I am proud of it. People have confidence in us and the artists are happy to play.”

As proof: once again, the festival has been sold out for several months (tickets for the evening will be on sale). The audience, which is mostly international, with many English, Scandinavians but also Spanish and Japanese, even bought their tickets before knowing most of the line-up.

“It’s also the variety of sounds that we can present that pleases and also the freshness of giving space to new names”, estimates Gilles Peterson, who takes the time to answer us this Friday. He has just finished his radio show on the BBC and talks about the passionate exchange he has just had with the Italian percussionist Valentina Magaletti, one of his headliners, at the Théâtre de la Mer on Friday.

Acid jazz, drum ‘n bass, afrobeat

“She is capable of playing drum’n bass, as well as experimental post-punk or even electronica and she will present her three groups in the evening. Just before, Lefto will play his album in a choreographic way, it’s This is the blend I like.”

Inexhaustible, he could dissect each of the fifty or so artists present, with great parity, with a strong emphasis on modern jazz and electronic music. The boss cites for example Jimetta Rose for his modern gospel, Isaiah Collier (not to be confused with the basketball player), new sax genius of the Chicago scene whom he had dreamed of bringing in for a long time, or even the Mexican orchestra of ‘Ana Ruiz, “to better connect with the world’s scenes.”

“I would like to do ten days of festival”

However, let’s not forget the two heavyweights of this 18th edition. The eight bubbling Kokoroko, whose jazzy Afrobeat is mixed with hip-hop, are tailor-made for the stage and then the immense and timeless English group Galliano, founder of acid-jazz, the DNA of Worldwide, who are finally releasing a new album.

“It’s a big mistake for me! They never came, they invented everything, we had to celebrate this acid-jazz scene”, rejoices Gilles Peterson. The Worldwide also does not change its validated and ingenious formula, free beach and paying theater where concerts are followed by DJ’s from midnight: the public then joins the stage, back to the sea, the artists, themselves settling in the dedicated cabin, in the stands.

“I would like to spend ten days to see all the artists I want,” laughs the organizer. Determined to continue the adventure towards the age of 20 and beyond and why not return to the Sète mole, where 5,000 people were able, for a time, to be welcomed. And this, despite the economic turpitudes specific to all music festivals, happy to count on the support of the City of Sète, which he thanks. “And then, like every year, I’m looking for a house in Sète!” he smiled.