French artist and DJ Vel (originally from Morocco) has played Nuit Sonores several years in a row now. This year she will be doing a live set in Chapelle de la Trinité on Thursday 14 May, where Kali Malone is also playing. It’s going to be an ambient set, and with no doubt a sharp contrast to her other appearance at this year’s festival. Because the day before she is playing b2b with Anetha, as the final act in the day programme at Les Grandes Locos. As you may know, Anetha’s label Mama Told Ya released the first Vel album There Is Always a Solution in 2024 and they both have a past at the city’s Le Sucre venue.
In 2025 Vel launched her own label Purr, and also put out an ambient album, which we wrote about with much enthusiasm. Ahead of her performance, we did a quick Q&A with her, but if you want a deeper interview I recommend you check out her talk with Rinse at last year’s NS.
So excited to hear your ambient tracks live – will you play from Cuddle Protocol or is it a new set?
I am preparing a live set especially for this show, blending some new ambient pieces with revisited parts of Cuddle Protocol : )
I know the venue is not really a church anymore, but how do you feel about playing in this spiritual setting?
The venue will definitely bring the music to another level. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to play in such a beautiful setting. I know churches can give a different colour to the sound, as reverb is such a characteristic element of these spaces.
Your ambient LP came out on your own label Purr – do you have any plans to release more in that style by yourself or other artists?
The label will alternate between club-oriented and experimental releases. The next one will be by KennyKrazyWorld and Hitam. I definitely plan to use my label to release more ambient works, since I find this genre so honest and underestimated in terms of emotional power.
You lived in Lyon and are a veteran of the festival, last year you played the closing set. This year you’re also playing b2b with Anetha – how do you feel about this?
I am eternally grateful to the whole Nuits Sonores team, as well as to Le Sucre, where I am a resident. Both have had an enormous impact on my career and artistic development. It’s an honour to be part of their beautiful story. Having this kind of support pushes me to work harder and create the best moments I can for the festival this year.
Thank you
Follow @vel_musique
Follow @purr_label
Listen to Vel’s album Cuddle Protocol below.
