When the french say "faire un bœuf" it's our equivalent of a "jam session" when the bands play improvised solos and vamp over tunes, drones, songs, and chord progressions. You will get plenty of that - and more - at the Antibes / Juan Marching Band Festival; a welcome recent addition to the Riviera Social Calendar.
The 3rd iteration - 2024
The 3rd edition of the "Marching Band Festival" is the perfect way to kick-off the summer season and (as usual) coincides with Easter Weekend, This year, the Town Hall has organised 7 groups; comprising 7-14 musicians each, who will parade through the streets and/or deliver concerts from Saturday March 30 to Monday April 1 (throughout both Antibes and Juan-les-Pins).
The 2024 Line-Up for the Marching Band Festival
Confirmed performances from these six bands (with one further to be announced soon):
The 2024 Programme for the Marching Bands Festival
Saturday March 30 - Morning (all Antibes)
Antibes Grand parade from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with 7 groups
Circuit: Place de Gaulle - Rue de la République - Place des Martyrs - Traverse Lacan - Rue Lacan - Place Nationale - Rue Thuret - Boulevard d'Aguillon - Rue Aubernon - Cours Masséna - Rue Georges Clémenceau - Place Nationale
Finishing at Pace Nationale where there will be 20 minutes of jam with all 7 groups performing together - not to be missed!
Saturday March 30 - Afternoon - Antibes
Concerts from 4 p.m. to 4:40 p.m
Place Marenda Lacan - Suck Da Head;
Place Nationale - Zygos;
Bld d’Aguillon - Bandakadabra
Then the 3 groups together at Place des Martyrs for 20 mins
Saturday March 30 - Afternoon - Juan-les-Pins
Concerts from 4 p.m. to 4:40 p.m
Promenade du Soleil - Velcros Brass Band;
Carrefour de la Joie - Hip Horns Brass Band;
Corner Dautheville / G.Gallice - Skokiaan
Then the 3 groups together at Petite Pinède for 20 mins
Sunday March 31 - Lunchtime - Antibes
Concerts from 4 p.m. to 4:40 p.m
Cours Masséna - Hip Horns Brass Band;
Place Nationale - Velcros Brass Band;
Bd d’Aguillon - Skokiaan
Then the 3 groups together at Place Nationale for 20 mins
Sunday March 31 - Lunchtime - Juan-les-Pins
Concerts from 4 p.m. to 4:40 p.m
Promenade du Soleil - Zygos
Carrefour de la Joie - Bandakadabra
Angle Dautheville / G.Gallice - Suck Da Head
Then the 3 groups together at Petite Pinède for 20 mins
Sunday March 31 - Afternoon - Juan-les-Pins
Juan les Pins Grand parade from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. with 7 groups
Circuit: Palais des Congrès - Avenue Georges Gallice - Boulevard Edouard Baudoin - Promenade du Soleil - Bather - Rond-Point Courbet - Promenade du Soleil - Boulevard Edouard Baudoin - Petite Pinède
Finishing at Petite Pinède where there will be 20 minutes of jam with all 7 groups
Monday April 1 - Lunchtime - Antibes
Concerts from 4 p.m. to 4:40 p.m
Place des Martyrs - Suck da Head;
Boulevard d’Aguillon - Velcros Brass Band
Then the 2 groups together at Place Nationale for 20 mins
Monday April 1 - Lunchtime - Juan-les-Pins
Concerts from 4 p.m. to 4:40 p.m
Baigneuse - Bandakadabra;
Carrefour de la Joie - Zygos;
devant Sweet Café - Skokiaan
Then the 3 groups together at Petite Pinède for 20 mins
Marching Bands Parade Route
The Route in Antibes:
The Route in Juan:
Check out the vibe
Why not check out this great video from the 2022 event, to get a feel for what you can expect, when you visit:
How to Get there
By train: you have a choice of the Antibes station (on the SNCF-TGV fast line from Marseille to Ventimiglia) and the Juan-les-Pins and Biot train stations (only local TER trains). Buy your tickets in advance for reduced hassle. Timetables here.
By car: exit the A8 autoroute at "la Provençale" (exit 44), then take the RD 6007 followed by the RD 6098 to the centre. A full list of car parks is here.
By bus: The local bus network is run by Envibus who provides services in Antibes as well as the surrounding communes, including Juan-les-Pins, Biot, Châteauneuf, Gourdon, Vallauris Golfe-Juan and Villeneuve-Loubet. Most services run every 15 to 30 minutes and you can download the timetable at the Envibus website:
Bus 2 - Antibes - Plage du Ponteil - Phare du Cap - Eden Roc
Bus 10 - Antibes - Biot Gare SNCF - Marineland - Biot village - Valbonne
Bus 14 - Fort Carre - Port Vauban - Plage du Ponteil - Port de la Salis
Bus 15 - Juan les Pins Gare SNCF circular
Bus 23 - Antibes - Biot Station - Villeneuve-Loubet Marina - La Colle sur Loup
Resources
The official website for the Marching Bands Festival
The festival line-up on Bandsintown
Accommodation
With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Holiday Home Villa in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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