Méribel band brings funky new sound to the resort’s renowned aprés ski scene
A first for Méribel ski resort, a group of musicians in the area are bringing funk and soul to those on ski holidays in France.
Arguably offering the best aprés ski scene in the French Alps, visitors regularly leave the comfort of their luxury catered chalets in Méribel and head out to the resort’s bars and clubs to enjoy an eclectic mix of bands and musical genres.
Now a group of established musicians playing around the resort have come together to bring a new funky sound to those enjoying Méribel’s aprés ski music.
The new group ’Die Funkt’, translated from German to ’The Sparks’, brings members from two of Méribel’s already popular bands Dutch Courage and Max le Sax together with resort musician Ed Thornton, other special guest appearances and Richard – a trombone teacher from local town Bourg St Maurice – to form a new collective of like-minded, talented players.
The result is a fun take on funk, soul and groove tunes and current popular songs in the charts, reinvented with a brass band sound. Featuring jazz tones and a live three-piece horn section, Die Funkt promises creative improvisation and energy to its audience and offers something new in the way of entertainment for those visiting the Alps.
Group member George explains how the new band came to be: “Basically the idea of the funk band ’Die Funkt’ was to play something different to the standard cover band music out here like ’Sweet Home Alabama’ and ’Under the Bridge’, by playing more of the music that as a group we love, like the old funk stuff!
“Because we’re using a horn section as well it creates a bigger sound, and sets it apart from the guitar based music in Méribel.”
Die Funkt held its debut performance at popular Alps nightspot Tsaretta in Les Allues and the gig turned out to be a successful introduction for the group, with the venue being packed as curious guests turned up to see this new addition to alpine evening entertainment.
The new band pulled in crowds at Tsaretta, with people coming from Méribel and other ski resorts close by, and is hoping to do the same again at their next gig on February 5th.
The Three Valleys, and Méribel in particular, are known for their enticing nightlife and no doubt this new band on the scene will provide even more amusement for holidaymakers coming to the French Alps on a ski break this year.
Image Credit: Amber Dugimont (instagram.com)