The music of Steve Reich will be celebrated on the Bang on a Can All-Stars' European tour as the New York-based ensemble brings his music to France and the UK this week, starting with a performance at the Cité des congress in Nantes tonight, followed by a July 4 concert at the Cité de la musique in Paris, and culminating in a set at the London Pleasure Gardens this Friday, July 6, as part of the 2012 Bloc Weekend festival. Joining the ensemble on the three-city tour is the composer himself, who will perform his Clapping Music.

This week's all-Reich concert programs also include Cello Counterpoint, Piano Phase/Video Phase, New York Counterpoint, and 2x5 (which Bang on a Can performs on the first-recording of the piece, on Nonesuch Records). The French programs include Nagoya Guitars; the Bloc program includes Electric Counterpoint.

Steve Reich spoke with the Guardian's Louis Pattison about the ease with which his music can move between concert halls and clubs, as it will with this week's concerts. "You know, there's a place here in New York called Le Poisson Rouge," Reich tells Pattison. "It used to be a jazz club but now it's rock one night, new music the next. We need to remember, classical music isn't the other side of the moon. This is the way music moves now!" Read the complete article at guardian.co.uk.

Following their return to the United States, Steve Reich joins Bang on a Can for the group's six-hour music marathon at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts, on Saturday, July 28. He will be on hand to hear his 2x5, Eight Lines, Cello Counterpoint, and more.

For additional details on these and other upcoming shows, go to nonesuch.com/on-tour.