Trading Shadows in Rennes

The band Trading Shadows won the Audience Award at the Newcomer Festival 2023, which included a trip to our twin city Rennes and an extensive program of visits including a concert. The musicians visited Rennes from October 2 to 6, 2024. Here they report on their trip:

Day 1: Wednesday 02.10.24

Departure Nuremberg main station 7:38 am
After several hours on the train, we arrived at "Gare du Rennes", the main station, at around 8 pm. Anouk, our companion, briefly handed us our hotel room keys and train tickets before inviting us to the "Crêperie de L'épi". Over a few crêpes and a bottle of cider, we talked about our journey and got to know each other better. We got on really well with Anouk straight away and the language barriers we thought we had at the beginning were immediately forgotten.

Day 2: Thursday 03.10.24

Departure at 9 a.m. to the "Jardin Moderne", our performance location. First we were given a guided tour of the "Jardin Moderne" by Michelle and his staff. We were shown the concept of the location, the rehearsal rooms and the 2 stages. The focus here is on supporting young musicians and bands and offering them a place to rehearse and perform. Our anticipation grew even more after we were able to use a rehearsal room to "warm up". During the afternoon, we also got to know the second band of the evening, "Death Council". Super nice and open musicians, with whom we were to meet again on Saturday in a small bar. Death Council opened the evening and really got the crowd going before we started our set at 8pm. Moshpits, an exuberant mood and an unforgettable atmosphere as well as super professional sound and light technicians, all contributed to the fact that we felt super comfortable from the very first moment.

Day 3: Friday 04.10.24

We had a full program again today. In the morning, we were shown around the "Conservatoire", a school for music, theater and dance which is well equipped to meet the needs of its students with various studios and performance spaces. After lunch together, we learned about classical instruments such as the oboe, bagpipes and accordion at the "Cercle Celtique" and were also allowed to try out all the instruments ourselves. Afterwards, we were allowed to try our hand at baking crêpes and galettes (the savory version of crêpes). The day ended at the "Antipode", a very special cultural center. On the first floor, for example, there is a library where you can marvel at books, countless records, a 3D printer and a live DJ set. The Antipode also has an open youth center, a large and a small event hall (where Lars Ulrich rehearsed for "Hellfest") as well as other rooms for art, music, etc. At the end of the day, we attended a concert at "Antipode". "Fat Dog" from London got the sold-out hall dancing.

Day 4: Saturday 05.10.24

Saturday began for us with lunch with Anouck and Anabel-Marie, whom we had already met in Erlangen. It was a pleasure to meet them again and to be able to talk to them. Afterwards, we had a guided tour of the city on the program. Rennes has many well-preserved half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages, an interesting history and beautiful places to visit. The many pubs in the city center are well frequented and invite you to sit down. In the evening we ate (how could it be otherwise) crêpes in the center of Rennes. Once again 10 out of 10 points. By now it felt like we had known Anouk for ages. We looked back on our time together and ended the evening with "Death Council" in a bar.

Day 5: Sunday 06.10.24 Departure

As a band, we only have one thing to say: Merci! Many thanks to the city of Erlangen for trusting us to represent them in Rennes, thanks to the city of Rennes for the hospitality, the accommodation and all the wonderful program points. And of course many thanks to Anouk, you made our trip so much easier with all the translations, explanations and your wonderful manner.