Trajal Harrell's 'Music, Music' at Festival d'Avignon 2026 Criticized as Imposture
A scathing review of Trajal Harrell's performance 'Music, Music' at the 80th Festival d'Avignon, staged at the Cloître des Carmes on July 22-24, 2026, labels the work an imposture. The critic argues Harrell lacks genuine dance skills, comparing him to Florence Foster Jenkins, and describes his movements as graceless and meaningless. The performance features a yellow stage, a painted backdrop resembling the Carrières de Boulbon, and Harrell in flamboyant costumes. He uses a remote control to play a recorded voice, claiming he lost his voice, and asks the audience to listen to Elton John and Dua Lipa's 'Cold Heart' online. The critic notes Harrell's repetitive gestures, fake exits, and use of props like a stool and a large bag, reminiscent of his earlier work 'The Romeo' (2023) at the Cour d'Honneur du Palais des Papes. The review contrasts Harrell unfavorably with Raymond Hogge, calling for more sincere artists. The piece is categorized as dance and tagged with Festival d'Avignon 2026.
Key facts
- Performance titled 'Music, Music' by Trajal Harrell at Festival d'Avignon 2026.
- Held at Cloître des Carmes on July 22, 23, 24, 2026 at 22h.
- 80th edition of the Festival d'Avignon.
- Critic compares Harrell to Florence Foster Jenkins, calling his dance nonexistent and poor.
- Stage is yellow, matching the festival program color.
- Backdrop painted to resemble Carrières de Boulbon.
- Harrell enters in flamboyant costumes (ruffled dresses, wigs, glasses).
- He uses a remote control to play a recorded voice, claiming he lost his voice.
- Audience asked to listen to 'Cold Heart' by Elton John and Dua Lipa online.
- Harrell strips to black sweatpants and quilted black sweater, blue socks.
- Performs to 'Music for a While' by Oedipus, attempts arm movements.
- Critic describes gestures as graceless, meaningless, and embarrassing.
- Harrell does fake exits, returns in blue-striped shirt with pearl necklaces and gold chains, then in a bathrobe.
- Uses a stool and a large bag, reminiscent of 'The Romeo' (2023) at Cour d'Honneur du Palais des Papes.
- Performs to fados by Lula Pena, showing dresses.
- Critic compares unfavorably to Raymond Hogge.
- Photo credit: Nurith Wagner Strauss.
- Article published on Inferno magazine on July 23, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Trajal Harrell
- Florence Foster Jenkins
- Catherine Frot
- Elton John
- Dua Lipa
- Lula Pena
- Raymond Hogge
- Nurith Wagner Strauss
Institutions
- Festival d'Avignon
- Cloître des Carmes
- Carrières de Boulbon
- Cour d'Honneur du Palais des Papes
- Carnegie Hall
- Inferno magazine
Locations
- Avignon
- France
- New York
- United States