two winners crowned at paris battle of the bands

And when the Paris Battle of the Bands was all over on Friday night at Les Etoiles, there were two artists left standing: Frieda and Gystere. Following a night of club performances which featured the wedding white-decked soulful songstress and the Afrodelic jazzy funk ensemble led by keyboardist Adrien Gystere Peskine facing off against Tennin’s sublime electronic pop and Sab N’dy’s powerful roots rock and roll, a winner had to be chosen. Or, in our case, two winners. And now, Frieda and Gystere are set to play the main stage at the festival.

AFROPUNK Paris Battle of the Bands 2019 winners (L-R): Frieda and Adrien Gystere Peskine. (photo: Gwenn Clement)

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Frieda fronted her all-female band — also decked out in white gowns — with crazy strength. Her introspective sound is born from a manifesto of love, carried by a soulful voice, dreamy melodies that venture veer between melancholy and dance, full of great rhythms and basslines. Frieda’s is the kind of music we can hear take over a big, big audience. 

Frieda performing at AFROPUNK Paris Battle of the Bands finals, at Les Etoiles, Paris on Friday, July 5, 2019. (photo: Gwenn Clement)

Gystere is likely to be a bit more for the chosen few — but those who take to this left-field funk experience will become obsessives. Like Thundercat-type obsessives, to give a sense of just one artist that Gystere kind of evokes … but not really. Fronted by Adrien’s unique voice, style, and keytar, Gystere is a big Black intergalactic music rush, filled with universal truths and warmest smiles.

Gystere performing at AFROPUNK Paris Battle of the Bands finals, at Les Etoiles, Paris on Friday, July 5, 2019. (photo: Gwenn Clement)

We cannot wait for our community to experience both of these incredible artists at AFROPUNK Paris. 

Check for both Frieda and Gystere at AFROPUNK Paris, July 13th and 14th.