This post is inspired by a blog written by my best friend Paul, who performed at the médiathèque on Saturday, June 21st, 2025. You can read his original post HERE. I’ve copied and pasted it below to preserve it on my own site as well. Additionally, I’ll be adding my own comments in blue.

The Library Gig, Fête de la Musique 2025 (Summer Solstice, baby!)

(Note: This happened on June 21st, 2025. I’m only posting it now, but it’s one of those days that stuck with me.)

Kick-started the summer with Fête de la Musique in Paris and the Paris suburbs — and it was a great Festival of Music this year!

Thinking about it, it was the most music-filled 21st of June I have ever had. And being from Paris, that IS saying something. I'm happy to read this :)

Fête de la Musique was started in the 80s by some minister within the French government. Yes, a politician, but this time, doing good! And the choosing of the summer solstice might even suggest some sort of mystical, cosmic, otherworldly connections this guy might have. I think I heard he used to be an astrologist.

Okay, just kidding, I actually don’t know anything about the dude, but if he started something like Fête de la Musique and it’s STILL going on today, he must be somewhat of a chill guy.

… But maybe that’s what he WANTED us to think…

Okay, again guys, sorry, I’m feeling a bit goofy today so it’s coming out here.

Anyway, enough cosmic conspiracy theories — here’s how the day really went.

THE SHOW

Planet Paul 33 performed at the Médiathèque des Mureaux on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, to celebrate the Fête de la Musique.

There were several reasons why I invited him to play: he is my best friend, we used to play in a band together, and he is currently pursuing his music career in Barcelona. He performs on the streets, playing both covers and original songs. I wanted to hear him play live again and offer him a space to share his music in a concert setting.

I also wanted to give him a meaningful experience, hoping that performing at the médiathèque would inspire new musical ideas and help him grow as an artist. I was really happy when he agreed to come and play.

It was great to see my close friends show up, and I was happy to see strangers’ faces too in the crowd. Completely acoustic, but the sound resonated nicely in the library space.

I even had a backstage area where one of the librarians brought me tea as I warmed up my voice and hung out with my mom. Backstage, tea in hand, my own mother by my side, about to rock a whole library — I felt like quite the rockstar.

It was a hot day, so it was good to be in an air-conditioned library surrounded by the serenity of books.

I felt nervous, but I was excited to play.

The night before I had removed two songs from my setlist, which was a huge relief. I think unconsciously, I had overprepared how many songs I was to play. These two songs, “She’s a Holistic Healer,” and “Wildflower” (both originals), were SO close to being gig-ready but if I was honest with myself, they weren’t quite there.

It was a good decision not to play them for two reasons:

What happened in the end was ideal. The night before the gig I decided not to play them, and I felt so relieved. After a good night’s sleep, I woke up feeling excited and positive about the gig! So without realizing it, I had set myself up well.

The gig itself was very cool. People sat and listened, which was an amazing gift. They smiled, they clapped, they were supportive and forgiving. Such a sweet crowd. I will always remember and be grateful for them 💚.

In total, Planet Paul 33 had 35 people attending his concert.

He delivered an awesome acoustic performance, playing a mix of covers (a lot of Beatles) and his own original songs. The atmosphere was fantastic—perfectly in tune with the spirit of the Fête de la Musique.

A couple of weeks before the concert, Paul asked me if I wanted to join him on stage for a song, and I gladly accepted. We performed Lazy Sunday, a song I composed back when we played together in a band. It’s a song about vacations, and we had only performed it live once before, in 2020 at the club Le Truskel in Paris.

Playing it again in front of an audience, and with Paul, felt amazing. It was a nostalgic moment, but also exciting. I could really feel how much life has changed, yet we still sound great together. People loved it and applauded warmly. Performing recharged my batteries.

Not to mention Bojan’s amazingness in getting the gig organized and making it happen!

PARIS

Then we made our way back to Paris, (the gig finished around 4:30pm @ Les Mureaux), and met with some other friends for some fresh jamming by the canal (Bassin de la Villette for those who know).

My vocal cords needed a good rest after.

I joined Paul and his friends by the canal with a kazoo and a tambourine. As Paul performed, I supported him with rhythm on the tambourine, and whenever I knew the song, I played the solo or melody on the kazoo. We played all night! The atmosphere was fantastic, and I entered a state of flow—I lost myself in the music, in the moment, in the show.

People were passing by, and I was connecting with each one of them. I felt as if the universe was telling me: we are all one. So I danced, played music, and sang with Paul, just like in the old days. People would stop, gather around us, and even join in playing the songs.

One of my favorite moments was playing The Lion Sleeps Tonight. We got the crowd to chant “a-wim-boe-way,” and I played the melody on the kazoo. Boulevard of Broken Dreams was another highlight—it was so intense that I realized afterward I had bruised my hand and gotten a blister from hitting the tambourine so hard!

Other awesome songs we played included Hit the Road Jack and What’s Up by 4 Non Blondes. Time flew by, and that evening of music with Paul made me realize just how much I miss playing in a group, with someone. I share the emotions of Paul, it was the best Fête de la Musique of my life.

Then it was hanging out and spending time with one of my all time best buds, EVER, Bojan. (Not even embarrassed: we had a sleepover).

Yep, best Fête de la Musique of my life. Cosmic astrologist-minister guy would’ve been proud.