in 2024, the Plateau Picard Jazz festival attracted many locals

This is a safe bet for the CCPP. Its Jazz festival has attracted crowds for many years. But this 17^e edition seemed to attract more local spectators.

It is an event that is not running out of steam, even after almost 20 years of existence. Perfectly installed in the cultural landscape of the Picardy plateau, the Jazz festival initiated by the Communauté de communes du Plateau Picard (CCPP) experienced a 17^e frenzied edition both by the jazzy rhythms and by its attendance.

In Wavignies, these five concert evenings, between October 22 and 26, 2024, demonstrated the full extent and diversity of jazz. “We had seven artistic teams, five concerts and two opening acts, explains Sarah Wolf, responsible for cultural affairs at the intermunicipality. In all, there were 43 artists, 28 stage professionals and 15 amateurs, participants in Hervé Mabille's masterclass who sang as the opening act on Friday evening.” This masterclass was also sold out, with around fifteen students, mainly from Clermont or around Amiens.

Preventing “no-shows” to ensure the future of the Jazz festival

Just like this practical workshop, the concert evenings were packed with no less than 1,157 spectators, an average of 250 per evening. “Within 10 people, these are the same figures as in 2023.” In detail, 265 people attended the opening night, 258 were present the next day and 247 on Saturday. “On Thursday, there were a little fewer people but it was certainly the concert that worked best in terms of the relationship between the artist and the public. Lars Danielsson and his quartet really knew how to give a swing side to his very calm album. The audience loved it and after the concert, all the CDs were sold.”

But a problem persists, mainly due to the free nature of the event. “We have people booking online but not showing upcontinues the cultural affairs officer. This is why we slightly inflate our reservation gauges which do not correspond to the real capacities of the room.”A concern that the community should address.

In fact, 46% of spectators came from the CCPP municipalities, an increase of 6% compared to last year. 43% (- 8% compared to 2023) came from elsewhere in Oise, 10% from Île-de-France (+ 4% compared to 2023) and the remaining small percent from elsewhere. “We also found that the public, this year, was younger. I had the impression that there were many more teenagers and young workers, continues Sarah Wolf. It’s something that we can’t quantify exactly but from next year we will ask for age when registering.”

Jazz and cinema go hand in hand

The only downside to this program would perhaps be the cinema screening organized on October 10, well before the festival. After Whiplash by Damien Chazelle last year, it was the Oscar-winning film The Artist by Michel Hazanavicius which was projected. But this choice did not attract crowds in the theater since only around ten people came to the Jeanne-Moreau cinema in Saint-Just-en-Chaussée even though the film's choreographer and coach Fabien Ruiz was present. . “It’s a big disappointment and I think it’s something we won’t do again.”

However, the 7^e Art would seem to be one of the common threads that would emerge for the 18^e edition of the festival, already under consideration. “Nicolas Lefèvre, our music programmer, would like to start with perhaps a designed concert…”.A track which already suggests numerous influences, both musical and cinematographic. Next year, the festival, which wishes to keep its itinerant aspect, will take over the Marcel-Ville hall in Maignelay-Montigny, before probably several years in Saint-Just-en-Chaussée in the future multipurpose hall.

Emeline Bertel