As rain beat down heavily on the longest day of the year, the area around the Alliance Française Kathmandu (AFK) in Tripureshwor reverberated with music. Artists such as Sheren Shrestha, Manda Band, Dissonance, Treble Clef, Mukut, The Trio, and Alien Panda, along with five other bands, performed at what was a celebration of music. Each band presented a different style of music including indie, progressive rock, folk-fusion, experimental classic, blues as well as heavy metal, ensuring there was something for every palette, regardless of the taste.

Fete de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, originated in Paris, France in 1982. Since then, it has been celebrated every day on June 21—the summer solstice—in over 700 cities in 120 countries to mark a celebration of the universality and cultural transcendence of music. The Fete de la Musique runs on three principles world over: creation of a common platform for musicians and enthusiasts of all variety and skill levels, the hosting of an outdoor event and, best of all, all concerts are free to attend.

In Kathmandu, about a dozen other events also marked the occasion this year.

The event at AFK started with popular songs from bands from schools in Kathmandu. Later, immediately after the band Treble Clef left the audience with the familiar sounds of Nepali folk, the heavy metal band Asphyxiate arrived and delivered a performance bursting with heart thumping drums, bass, guitar-shredding, growling and head-banging. This left some Nepali audiences shocked and confused in their seats, whereas others familiar with the genre were head-banging in an impromptu mosh pit. Right after Asphyxiate’s performance, when some distraught audiences felt relieved, Kings among Men, another metal band, arrived on stage and gave an equally fierce performance.

Yves Carmona, ambassador of France to Nepal, was present at the event. “Music can express every feeling, with or without words: of joy, sadness, bliss, and anger. It transcends cultural boundaries.” Mr Carmona said “This year’s theme is ‘music is stronger than.’ Than what? As we all know, on the November 13 during the Paris attacks 130 of us were killed. Also recently, 12 Nepalese were killed in Kabul, Afghanistan because of suicide bombings for which I express immense grief. Today, let us be stronger than that. Let us celebrate bliss, joy, social life, culture and happiness together. Because, music is stronger than hate.”

These words resonated with the audiences for the rest of the evening. Spirit band delivered a smooth performance of groovy, rhythmic blues; Space swayed the audience with its poignant lyrics and uplifting music; and the Manda Band got the audience off their seats, dancing with joy. Mr Carmona’s words rang true as Nepalis, the French and others danced together in the rain. Fete de la Musique, this year, transcended cultural boundaries and showed, more importantly, that music is, indeed, stronger than hate. And a torrential downpour.