March is here and with it is an abundance of music festivals! This month has already seen the brand new RFM Winter Week and this weekend we’re set for some old favourites: Rock the Pistes and Snowboxx. As you may already know, Rock the Pistes concerts take place on the snow and are completely FREE, while Snowboxx tickets can be purchased for one-off events, gigs and parties; you can get yours HERE.
So let’s start with Rock the Pistes, whose main event is a series of slope-side concerts across Morzine, Les Gets, Avoriaz and the entire Portes du Soleil. where can you find these slope-side concerts and at what time? Each on-snow performance kicks off at 12:45 with DJ Loran (of popular French radio station RTL) to get you pumped for the main artist, who will start at 1:30pm. Here goes:
Sunday 18th March: Stephan Eicher, Châtel
Where: The top of the Pierre Longue Chairlift on Plaine Dranse
Who: Stephan Eicher is a Swiss mega star who performs in a range of different languages. He’ll be opening Rock the Pistes by performing with his live band Traktorkestar, and beat-box master, Steff La Cheffe.
Monday 19th March: Alice Merton, Champéry – Les Crosets
Where: The base of the Lechereuse chairlift
Who: Alice Merton is an English / German / Canadian singer-songwriter whose dance-influenced indie-pop sounds have her pegged as a strong up-and-comer.
Thursday 22nd March: The Horrors, Morzine – Les Gets
Where: The top of the Belvedere chairlift
Who: Now on their 5th album, the Horrors blend of melodic indie post-punk is instantly classic, sure to set the pistes of Morzine and Les Gets on fire.
Friday 23rd March: Oscar and the Wolf, Avoriaz
Where: The top of the Stade chairlift
Who: Belgian singer-songwriter Oscar and the Wolf combines indie-folk with electronic music and the results are incredible.
Saturday 24th March: FFF, Morgins
Where: The top of the Foilleuse chairlift
Who: FFF (Federation Française du Funk) are a French punk and funk band, who have just released their first single in 17 years. Expect some very excited fans in the audience!
Off the Pistes in Morzine
The party doesn’t stop once the lifts close. There will also be an abundance of après-ski performances throughout the week on Morzine’s infamous après terrace at Le Tremplin. The music will be kicking off at 4pm and finishing just in time for dinner at 8pm.
Sunday 18th: Radio Meuh
The guys from France’s best alternative music radio station will be kicking off the week.
Monday 19th: DJ Lady Eliza
Resident Morzine DJ queen will be playing a mixture of funk, electro-swing, drum & bass, and more.
Tuesday 20th: Full Excess
Classic rock covers, sure to get you dancing!
Wednesday 21st: Basscamp Sessions
The legendary Justin Bull and friends rocking the decks at Morzine’s most famous après party.
Thursday 22nd: Chelima Fade
A powerful voice and a genre-spanning repertoire of original music, from soul to jazz to world, Chelima Fade is a talent not to be missed.
Friday 23rd: Ronan Gravier
Morzine’s answer to all things minimal and techno.
Saturday 24th: DJ Remedy Soundsystem
Local lyrical, loop pedal and acoustic master takes to the decks!
Off the Pistes in Les Gets
Find all the après ski goodness in Les Gets town centre by the ice rink. Good vibes and fun afternoons await!
Sunday 18th: Plug In
An exciting pop / rock band taking inspiration from early noughties giants like Papa Roach, Muse and Radiohead.
Tuesday 20th: Sombrero Gang
Live latino music with influences of reggae, jazz and rock.
Thursday 22nd: Septembre
Up-and-coming ambient, synthy, French electro-pop band.
Friday 23rd: Aposta
Quite possibly France’s answer to Linkin Park!
Each resort in the PDS will also be hosting après gigs and evening performances, check out the full programme HERE for a detailed description of what’s on in the evenings across the entire area.
Now on to Snowboxx. Back in Avoriaz for the third time, Snowboxx is bigger and better than ever. Full week wristbands are still available, as are day tickets (with the option to include transport to and from Morzine), click HERE to book. The party starts from 3pm every afternoon with activities and après concerts, and continues way into the night with DJ sets and live bands throughout the clubs and bars of Avoriaz. Check out the full schedule on the Snowboxx app. Here’s the main events:
Saturday 18th: So Fresh So Clean Takeover
10pm – 2:45am, XX Club, Avoriaz (just behind Carrefour supermarket)
Sunday 18th March: Snowboxx Opening Party with Fatboy Slim, Youngr, Shapes and Adrien Toma
Snowboxx Main Stage, just behind the Avoriaz drop-off area
7pm – 7:40pm – Adrien Toma
7:40pm – 8:45pm – Shapes
8:45pm – 9:15pm – Youngr
9:30pm -11pm – FATBOY SLIM
Monday 19th March: Altitude Comedy with Andrew Maxwell, Abandoman and Max Reed
6pm – 9pm, XX Club, Avoriaz (just behind Carrefour supermarket)
Tuesday 20th March: Snowboxx Introducing with Loyle Carner, Snakehips and Charlie Tee
7pm – 11pm, Snowboxx Main Stage, just behind the Avoriaz drop-off area
7pm – 7:40pm – Soulshape
7:40pm – 8:45pm – Charlie Tee
9pm – 9:45pm – Loyle Carner
9:45pm -11pm – Snakehips
Wednesday 21st March: Shy FX and Stamina MC Ingloo Party
6pm – 10pm, Igloo Village, Avoriaz
Thursday 22nd March: Snowboxx Closing Party with Chase & Status DJ Set, Stefflon Don and Rude Kid
Snowboxx Main Stage, just behind the Avoriaz drop-off area
7pm – 7:40pm – Proof
7:40pm – 9pm – Rude Kid
9pm – 9:25pm – Stefflon Don
9:30pm -11pm – Chase and Status DJ set and Rage
Friday 23rd March: Abode Igloo Party with Leftwing & Cody, GW Harrison, Jimmy Switch and Will Taylor
3pm – 6:30pm, Igloo Village, Avoriaz
Full week festival wristbands and day tickets (which include transport to and from Morzine to Avoriaz) are still available to buy HERE.
