Un Printemps Imaginaire - a festival during lockdown

If there's a festival that usually signals the start of festival season in France, it's Le Printemps de Bourges. But like so many events this year, COVID-19 has meant its inevitable cancellation this year.

It's a key event as it gives many developing acts a significant showcase where they can present new work that's coming later in the year, building reputations and a following in the run-up to a release.

Given the situation, organisers wanted some form of event to take place, obviously in an online environment.

But rather than simply relying on live performances at home, acts were given free rein to create what they wanted for Un Printemps Imaginaire from April 21 to 26.

They ended up with a pretty unique event, with memorable performances from some outstanding artists. No small achievement during the current situation.

Hopefully, other festival organisers are considering their next moves as while there is no playing down the crisis that affects everything at the moment, there are opportunities to create some luminous moments and these are certainly needed more than ever.

Le Printemps de Bourges will hopefully be back to normal next year, but until then here are a few of the acts and performances that we enjoyed:

La Grande Sophie 



Mauvais Oeil


Marie-Flore


Aloise Sauvage 


Jeanne Added performs Prince's Take Me With U


Renan Luce performs a cover of a Barbara song



The finale of the event was -M-, performing a new version of Mojo with Deluxe 

Festival: Le Printemps de Bourges

The Le Printemps de Bourges festival pretty much marks the start of the French festival season for
the year.

 It's also such a well-curated event that is gives a pretty good indication  of the acts to watch over the coming months.

Some 30 of the acts on this years bill emerged last month, and the organisers have now revealed the final names.

Already announced were big names Jain, Placebo, Vianney, Renaud, Soprano et Boulevard des Airs as well as Fakear, Talisco, Vitalic, Yuksek and Mr Oizo.

Added to the listings are dozens of acts including François & The Atlas Mountains, Fishbach and Agar-Agar, along with Her, Paradis, Cléa Vincent and Juliette Armanet.

Covering hip hop, electro , indie and rock and all combinations of these, it's an event that casts a wide net and hauls in an interesting catch.

 Le Printemps de Bourges runs from April 18 to 23.