Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp at The Jam Jar
Headfirst Editor's Pick

"Freewheeling cultureclash orchestra traversing free jazz, post-punk highlife and minimalist classical with transcendental results. Think Sonic Youth + Glen Branca’s downtown NY guitar ensemble covering Fela Kuti and you’re not even close (maybe Sons of Kemet raiding the Philip Glass’ songbook is closer…but you’ll have to see for yourself)."

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A gig held at The Jam Jar on Thursday 6th February. The event starts at 20:00.


Throw out your preconceptions of genre - 12 piece post-punk afro-avantgarde folk-estra OTPMD will take you on a captivating groove journey of the highest quality.

The Swiss ensemble's historic appearances at The Jam Jar have been some of the most captivating on our stage to date.

Back in early 2025 hot off the heals of a brand new record release, we cannot wait to have them back for another mesmerising night of music new and old!

'Freewheeling cultureclash orchestra traversing free jazz, post-punk, highlife and minimalist classical with transcendental results. Think Sonic Youth + Glen Branca’s downtown NY guitar ensemble covering Fela Kuti and you’re not even close (maybe Sons of Kemet raiding the Philip Glass’ songbook is closer…but you’ll have to see for yourself).' - Headfirst Bristol

Thursday 6th February
The Jam Jar Presents
Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp
+ support
Live at The Jam Jar, Bristol
Doors open 7.30pm

New record 'Ventre Unique' is out now!

Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp’s latest album, “Ventre Unique”, is a dynamic exploration that seamlessly blends folk, krautrock, post-punk, and African rhythms, delivering an emotionally charged yet exuberant listening experience. Helmed by Geneva-based Vincent Bertholet, the orchestra’s ever-evolving lineup and distinctive sound pay homage to both African music traditions and avant-garde artist Marcel Duchamp, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.

Recorded over ten days in the outskirts of Paris at Studio Midilive, the album features an eclectic international cast of 12 musicians, including regulars like lead vocalist Liz Moscarola and marimba players Aïda Diop and Elena Beder. The album also introduces new collaborators, such as Mara Krastina from Massicot and François Marry of Frànçois and the Atlas Mountains, whose contributions add a fresh layer to the group’s rich vocal tapestry. The result is a beautifully organic sound that balances Bertholet’s simple, loop-based compositions with intricate arrangements of marimba, horns, strings, and angular guitars.

While their previous work captured the disarray of the world during the pandemic, “Ventre Unique” reflects on shared human experiences, inviting listeners to find common ground through music. The album’s title, drawn from a line in the track “Coagule”, embodies the idea of unity in diversity: “for the moment, we're coagulating into a single womb, coalescing around a common dream.”

This release marks a significant moment in OTPMD’s journey, encapsulating their ethos of radical collectivity and the spirit of Geneva’s punk and squat scene that has influenced their music and philosophy. Bertholet’s vision for the group remains clear: simplicity in composition and a fluid lineup that allows the collective’s sound to thrive, regardless of individual members. “Ventre Unique” is a testament to the enduring and transformative power of collective music-making.

Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio

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