Straddling memory, creativity, and political activism, electronic music scenes bear the imprint of journeys and struggles that are often overlooked. This event aims to explore the Black legacies of these scenes and examine the forms that a party—conceived as a space for emancipation and resistance—can take today.
On Saturday, June 20, to mark the launch of the podcast *Explain the Sound*, produced by Marie-Maxime Dricot and co-produced by MansA, there will be a discussion on the historic and central role of Black artists within the electronic music scene. What challenges do these spaces face? What realities do those who shape them on a daily basis experience?
Following a group listening session featuring excerpts from the podcast, the discussion will explore possible ways to reinvent celebration today. How can we protect ourselves from the dynamics of appropriation and erasure that limit Black communities’ ability to celebrate? How can we transform festive and nightlife spaces so that they remain places of resistance, where the struggles that gave rise to them continue and assert themselves?
SPEAKERS
Mathys Rennela – A Paris-based music critic, he analyzes the socioeconomic conditions and Afro-diasporic origins of electronic music. As a member of the Technomaterialism collective, he advocates for alternative, anti-capitalist economic models within the nightlife scene.
Marie-Maxime Dricot – A journalist, curator, and producer based in Paris. Specializing in the hip-hop and electronic music scenes, she explores the social issues surrounding Afro-descendant cultures. As deputy editor-in-chief at Red Bulletin, she also develops documentary, fiction, and podcast projects, including her first music podcast, *Explain The Sound*, co-produced by MansA.
Elodie Vitalis (ABS8LUTE) – A French DJ and music activist, she has developed a hypnotic, percussive techno style. Committed to representing marginalized communities in electronic music, she founded the feminist collective Vénus Club in 2021 and leads DJing workshops for minorities. She is also the artistic director of the Paris-based collective Kluster, known for its inclusive events.
Moderator – Laure Togola – A freelance programmer and writer, she works on projects related to music and contemporary art (festivals, podcasts, exhibitions). As co-editor of the magazine Flashes, she explores the imaginaries of European club culture and develops feminist perspectives within electronic music.
