As a festival, So Frenchy So Chic is sensible but classy, like the luxury, European station wagons that filled the car park. The whole thing exudes a self-satisfied air and your attendance will mark you as first against the wall when the rock’n’roll revolution comes. It really isn’t a music festival and there can’t really be anyone in attendance that really cares who the bands are – it’s a day out in the sun where music happens to be.
Opener Edward Deer (accompanied by backing guitar/singer) provided a lovely introduction to the day. Stripped bare classic covers such as La Vie en Rose were given a good going over, and while his Je t’aime had a great country reverb it really does need a lady for the true sleazy sex vibe.
Lily Wood and the Prick are some kind of more enjoyable Euro Sneaky Sound System, with heavy kick drum and bass, overlaid with jangly guitar and piano. They got the dancing area full, which was no easy conquest considering the lazy, boozy picnic ambiance.
Féfé performed a solid, almost endless set, mostly because the crowd was so into his hip hop heavy rap reggae. As long as people were dancing, he kept going.
Headlining the afternoon was Babylon Circus, another reggae inspired sound with three-piece horns; a true party outfit. So Frenchy So Chic In The Park really is a lovely day in the sun.
BY JACK FRANKLIN
Loved: The Wes Anderson music festival vibe.
Hated: Myself.
Drank: Plastic cups of beer.
