Festival Rectangle

Rectangle: Poitiers's Hip-Hop and Electronic Scene

Born in the early 2010s as part of the programming of TAP — Scène nationale de Grand Poitiers, Festival Rectangle quickly established itself as a major event for lovers of urban and electronic music in the Vienne region. Co-organized with Collectif Ékinox, an association specializing in supporting festive practices, Rectangle offers a unique format: themed evenings where hip-hop, rap, contemporary dance, and digital arts intersect.

A Concept at the Crossroads of Disciplines

Each edition of Rectangle is based on the principle of encountering genres. The festival combines DJ sets of techno, house, and electro with live performances blending beatmaking, rap, and improvisation. Digital arts play a central role in the programming: interactive visual installations, video mapping, and audiovisual creations transform the TAP Bar into an immersive sensory space. This transdisciplinary approach makes Rectangle a unique artistic laboratory in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

A Demanding and Eclectic Program

Over the years, Rectangle has hosted artists of national and international renown. Past highlights include Thylacine, a figure of the French electro scene blending trip-hop and minimalism, Shlømo, the French champion of dark and trance techno, Martyn, a Berlin-based reference for dubstep and techno, and Syracuse, an electro-pop duo from the Antinote label. The hip-hop component highlights rappers, beatmakers, and dancers who push the boundaries of the genre.

The TAP Bar: A Venue for Celebration

Rectangle evenings take place in the TAP Bar, a friendly space located on the ground floor of the Théâtre Auditorium de Poitiers. This atypical, human-scale venue offers rare proximity between artists and the public. The atmosphere is both warm and electric, conducive to musical discoveries and encounters. Accessible from age 16 with ID, Rectangle appeals to a curious and open-minded audience.

Strong Territorial Roots

Rectangle actively participates in the cultural influence of Grand Poitiers and the Vienne region. By offering ambitious programming at very accessible prices, the festival contributes to democratizing urban and digital cultures for a wide audience. It is part of the cultural dynamic driven by TAP, alongside other flagship events such as the À Corps festival or the Poitiers Film Festival.