Sunday 23rd August 1998 - Guild Hall, Aston University, Birmingham, England
PRESS RELEASE 27/5/98
Jean Michel Jarre, internationally known composer and performer of contemporary synthesiser music, has millions of dedicated fans world-wide. Last year, Jarre signed with Sony Music and released the widely acclaimed Oxygene 7-13 album, followed by a successful European tour. In June this year, Jarre will release Rendez-vous ’98, a remix produced with Apollo 440, which will be heard all throughout summer as both ITV and Eurosport use it for their World Cup theme.
JarreCon is the new name for conventions produced by Natural Image Productions - a company set up from the majority of the production team who organised Rendez-vous 94, 95 and 96 - the last three UK Jarre conventions. Hundreds of fans enjoyed these days, but this year is extra special as it also marks Jean Michel’s 50th birthday – so we have plans to celebrate with many events and surprises!
Fans of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world, will meet up at JarreCon ‘98. Over the past few years, people have travelled to the convention from Holland, France, Germany and Ireland.
The team who produce JarreCon are also fans of Jean Michel Jarre, and each year voluntarily give an enormous amount of time and energy to make these days possible. In producing the convention, we include not only all aspects of Jarre’s music, but his work, as Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO.
Rare merchandise and donated items, as in past UK conventions, will be auctioned at JarreCon ‘98; the proceeds of which will again be donated to UNESCO, as recognition of the wonderful and vital work this organisation achieves - well over £1,000 was raised at Rendez-vous 96.
Highlights of the day will include:
Advance Tickets are available now, at £7.50 each, £14.00 for two, £20.00 for three, and £6.00 each for bookings of four or more. However numbers are limited, and distributed on a first-come-first-served basis so we advise fans to book now to avoid disappointment! In addition, programmes and JarreCon T-shirts can now be pre-ordered along with tickets. Everyone who purchases an advance ticket will be entered into a draw for exclusive prizes!
Credit cards, cheques, postal orders and International Money Orders in UK pounds sterling are accepted. Orders can be placed on the telephone/fax number: +44 (0) 121 693 2477, or by sending payment, payable to ‘Natural Image Productions’ to the address at the end of this press release. Alternatively, secure orders using a credit card can be placed at the JarreCon ‘98 web site.
Latest news, travel information, press releases, details on the previous conventions, a gallery of high quality pictures of Jean Michel Jarre on tour, links to all the major web sites around the world, and the opportunity to either reserve or securely order tickets can be found at the following Internet site: http://www.jarre.force9.co.uk/
JarreCon '98 Itinerary
BEFORE DOORS OPEN: Between 10:00 – 11:50
The Monks Bar will be opened at 10am to allow those who arrive early to sit down and enjoy some refreshments. There is a licensed bar that will be open for fans while they wait for the main doors to open at midday. Live music will be performed by Mark Jenkins, electronic synth artist, who will play for approximately one hour to keep fans entertained. We are sure everyone will enjoy Mark’s concert, and people will have the chance to purchase his CDs and chat to Mark on the AMP Records stall in the main hall.
THEREMIN TRIP: Demonstrations begin 12:15
We have a replica of this unusual Russian instrument for fans to listen to and play throughout the day! A backing track of Oxygene 10 is provided for those who want to perform alongside Jarre’s music and an approximate time of 5 minutes will be allocated to each person, for the fee of £1.00 – which will be donated to UNESCO.
‘JARRE FAN OF ‘98’ QUIZ: 12:30 – 13:15
A very popular event! A series of questions will be asked to fans from the audience, then an elimination round will then select three people for the final. The quiz this year will also involve video and audio questions, and the winner will walk away with a prize, and the title "Jarre Fan of 1998". Two runner up prizes will also be awarded.
MERCUREY WORKSHOP: 13:20 – 13:50
As our guests for the day, Dutch band Mercurey will be demonstrating how Jarre sequences and arranges his music in this fascinating workshop that will reveal the complex depths of Jarre’s music. This event will run only once and promises to be a popular event!
SALE OF THE CENTURY: 14:00 – 15:00
For the avid Jarre collector, the auction will have a variety of rare merchandise on offer. In past years, items have included rare Concert for Tolerance badges, signed posters, promo CDs, a fax from Jarre to all fans at the Rendez-vous 95 convention, Rondat’s signed plectrum and a very rare item which we weren’t even aware existed until we received it – the ‘Song for Tolerance’ promo cassette! This year, the auction includes an exclusive CD created especially for the auction by Kaleid, with a collection of remixes. This, and many other items which have been pledged will be auctioned to raise money for UNESCO. If fans have something they would like to auction on the day, they should check out the JarreCon website or fill in the forms included with their tickets.
MYSTIQUE: 15:15 – 16:45
English band Mystique will be performing a live collection of Jarre’s music, to a spectacular backdrop of lights and graphics. The band began rehearsing in October and promise many unique surprises for the audience! All exhibition stalls will be closed and other events will cease for the duration, for reasons of security. This should not be missed!
FREE PRIZE DRAW: 16:55 – 17:00
All ticket holders will be entered into the free prize draw with exclusive prizes to be won. At Rendez-vous 96, the winner received a one-off print from the Destination Docklands concert. This draw is not open to any exhibitors or members of crew.
Q/A SESSION: 17:00 – 18:00
As in previous years, fans will be able to ask the cast of the question and answer session anything they would like to know about the life and music of Jean Michel Jarre. This event may well be particularly interesting to those who have only discovered Jarre’s music recently, to catch up on his career to date. This event will reveal the latest news that is available – and no doubt some amusing stories as in previous years! Cast in previous conventions have included British and Dutch fanclubs, and fans who have been to rare concerts. This year, plans are to include a more varied selection of experts such as musicians, and some very special guests!
Other features throughout the day:
MERCHANDISE/STALLS: Open all day except during the Mystique concert
A variety of fanclubs, magazines and exhibitors will be selling items for fans to purchase on the day, including CDs, records, badges, posters, T-shirts, videos, calendars, jewellery and photos. Lots to tempt the discerning Jarre fan! Other items sold on the day will include electronic music from AMP Records (Mark Jenkins), Kaleid and others. Check out the JarreCon website for an up-to-date list of exhibitors.
ODYSSEY – TV: Playing through the day except during the concert
This includes a selection of news and television footage, interviews and live concert tracks, produced especially for us by Warrior Video. This video will be repeated and run throughout part of the day. A list of items included in the video will be on display.
DJ: Continuous music except during Mystique, and Mercurey workshop
There will be a selection of both original and remixed tracks being played throughout the day. While fans browse around the stalls and exhibition, they will be able to request their favourite tracks from the wide selection that, we believe, has everything Jarre has ever released as a solo artist– including many rare mixes. We challenge you to request something we don’t have, with prizes on offer if we cannot play it!
BANNED IN THE RAIN!: Open all day except during the Mystique concert
A comprehensive exhibition of Jean Michel Jarre merchandise, this year themed as Destination Docklands, will enable fans to view many rare items of merchandise from the concert, and enjoy many photos taken by fans. There will also be a selection of CDs, records and other merchandise taken from throughout Jarre’s career.
FANCLUBS: Meet and greet all day
A variety of fanclubs from different parts of Europe will be there to talk, answer questions and provide up-to-the-minute information on Jean Michel Jarre. Fans will also be able to purchase the magazines, and in some cases, merchandise on sale too.
If you have any further queries, then please don’t hesitate to contact Dave Knight, the event organiser at jarrecon@jarre.force9.co.uk. Address and other contact details are below:
Best Wishes
Dave Knight, Howard Knowelden and Louise Millward
(JarreCon ’98 Production Team)
Natural Image Productions
76 Etwall Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 0LE, England.
Telephone / Fax: +44 (0)121 693 2477
Email: ni@jarre.force9.co.uk
Internet: http://www.jarre.force9.co.uk/
