Lot-et-Garonne: The Astiaous, half a century celebrated with fanfare

The Lot-et-Garonne collective is taking over its stronghold of Saint-Laurent on August 2 and 3 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a career launched on July 14, 1975. Two days of music, parties and good humor are announced.

Cigarette in mouth and joke behind his butt, François Cappelle is having a good laugh this morning on the terrace of his nephew Philippe's bistro. "Hey, there's the paraplegic from Cherbourg," the musician calls out to a passing friend, leaning on his cane.

If others have the oil or the white wolf, in Saint-Laurent, they have the leader. An honorary title that this 70-year-old trumpeter has carried for 50 years and his contribution, along with his brothers Bruno and Laurent, to the musical heritage of the streets. François Cappelle was among those who played at the first Astiaous concert, on July 14, 1975, in Miramont-de-Guyenne. "There were six of us, including four from our family. We played two pieces. I had a cornet player who had seen Jesus Christ. At the time, we really liked the Arsouillos from Aire-sur-l'Adour. Every time we saw them, we said to ourselves, that's what we want to do."

And they will, the guys. But the banda spirit is a bit narrow to encompass their musical eclecticism. "Very quickly, we branched off. The collective was built gradually around a rhythm that was quickly established, because we had understood its importance. We played biguine, stuff like that. But, as we used to say to other groups, we play badly, but at least we know it." The Astiaous will quickly cut their teeth. And especially their lips. "We have moved up a gear over the decades. For twelve years, we played Condom. Buzet for ten years, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, the ferias of Eauze, Aire. There was also the Garonna Show that we started. Honestly, who would have thought that it would be fifty years and a thousand concerts?"

Collective, family-oriented, colorful, satirical, annoying, maverick, joker, talkative, drinker, and made up of very good musicians, the Astious is a band of traditions. For a two-hour concert, for example, you have to add one of palaver. "Sometimes it stings, yes. We talk a lot about politics, but with derision. We're a satirical brass band with strong personalities who don't all think the same way. We reach out to the audience with a few stupid jokes to bring them into our story. Every time, we have a laugh like crazy," says Brother Cappelle, whose house is where the after-concert get-togethers take place. In his kitchen, renamed the chapel, there's no need to be asked twice to feast over foie gras or confit.

Now, the former farmer has taken a step back from the organization. “The new generation is here. And it belongs to them. I also left the presidency of our association, the structure that oversees the collective’s activities. We never asked for a public subsidy. We have our own fund. Seven professionals play with us. Some come from far away. There are about thirty of us, and we rehearse once a month with our conductor, Gilles Giraudeau.”

From this half-century of career and wild releases, we will also remember some recordings. From the cassette "Charrue dans les brancards" to famous titles like "Pakistan", "Marie", "Le Chant du coq" or even the unsinkable "Piranha", inspired by the presence of the willingly carnivorous fish in the Garonne in Tonnein.

And legend has it that this fishy work was caught at the counter of the late Saint-Laurent sports café. A legend peppered with a few escapades. In this category, we'll remember a TV show on Christophe Dechavanne's, which ended badly after a visit to the production bar and ended with champagne in a nightclub with Michel Serrault. "We also met Wolinski at a Communist Party party in Feugarolles. He autographed a bass drum head for us." There are also trips. A lot. And far away. "I think that for a number of us, being in the Astiaous has allowed us to do things that we wouldn't have been able to do without it."

As with every festive milestone in their career, this anniversary will be celebrated at their home base on the river this weekend of August 2nd and 3rd. "We did the 45 + 2 three years ago because of Covid. We're starting with the same rhythm and kicking off on Saturday at noon at the Bistrot de Garonne. And afterward, we're all heading to the esplanade where the concert, banquet, and party will be held. We've invited about ten bands, all good friends. The festival committee is there, the volunteers too," the musician salivates in advance. Friendship has always been the common denominator. Like the desire to let the guns go. In yellow and red especially, the official drinks of the champions.