Poolidor is a French duo blending electronic music with the traditional sounds of the Berry region and North Africa.
The group can also be described with a handful of seemingly unrelated words: hurdy-gurdy, bicycle, and sewing machine.
Their connection becomes much clearer once you learn the story behind the band. Poolidor was founded by Clément Royo and Gabriel Bonnin, two professional musicians who, after many years of performing, decided to reconnect with the heritage of the Berry region in central France – the homeland of Gabriel’s grandfather. Once a distinct cultural region with its own customs and dialect, Berry was also known for traditional instruments such as the bagpipes and the hurdy-gurdy.
Gabriel chose the hurdy-gurdy as the foundation of the project, but radically modified the instrument to expand its sonic possibilities. He combined it with his grandmother’s old sewing machine and… a bicycle wheel.
The wheel replaced the instrument’s traditional crank and was connected to the foot pedal of a Singer sewing machine. This ingenious mechanism not only creates additional musical effects but also allows the hurdy-gurdy to be played hands-free, enabling Gabriel to perform on the violin at the same time.
He jokingly says that he spends the entire concert pedalling. This detail is especially fitting because the band’s name was inspired by the legendary French cyclist Raymond Poulidor, famously nicknamed “The Eternal Second”. Although he repeatedly finished second in the Tour de France, he remained one of the race’s most beloved riders – and Poolidor hopes to win audiences over with the same warmth and affection.
In Lublin, however, Poolidor will perform not as a duo but as a trio. Joining the band will be Bachir Rouimi, a Moroccan singer and percussionist whose presence brings together the dance melodies of Berry with the musical spirit of the Maghreb. We invite you not only to enjoy the concert, but also to join in the dancing!
Facebook: POOLIDOR
Instagram: poolidor.musique
