Vieilles Charrues - festval future in doubt

Some serious issues ahead for the Vieilles Charrues festival, France's biggest summer music event. Organisers are warning that this year's event, scheduled for July 11-14, could be the final edition of the festival unless the problems are addressed.

They're concerned about several measures that the local government has called on, including a loss of the land they can use for the event which means a loss of half of the camping area and less parking space, the local authority acquiring the festival organisers' office at the main entry to the event and a charge of 400,000  Euros for use of the site at Kerampuilh, despite organisers saying they'd agreed for it to be used for five years with the festival donating more than 2 million Euros in work, shows and the equivalent of 2,000 tickets to the local authority.

Organisers say the constant changes have resulted in a lack of stability that now endangers the future of the festival.

It's a difficult situation, and it comes at a time when the future of many large-scale music events is looking uncertain due to the economy and the difficulties that came in the wake of Covid, Vieilles Charrues cancelling its 2020 event.

The festival was created in 1992 and has been held in Carhaix since 1995 and over the three-decades-plus that it's been held, it's attracted some of the biggest names in music - both French and international - to Carhaix in Brittany. Some of the international acts that have played there include the likes of Bruce Springsteen. Iggy Pop, Muse, Lou Reed, The Cure, Bob Dylan, Rammstein, Neil Young, Lana Del Rey and Depeche Mode, while from France, acts like Stromae, Indochine, Justice, Etienne Daho, Vanessa Paradis, -M- have all played along with legends like Johnny Hallyday, Jane Birkin Charles Aznavour and Jacques Dutronc.

Last year’s edition included Robbie Williams, Blur, Soprano, Rosalia and Red Hot Chili Peppers in headline slots, alongside sets from BigFLo & Oli, Jeanne Added, Shaka Ponk, Lomepal, Pomme, Phoenix and Silmarils.

Despite having the big names at the top of the bill, the event has not lost touch with its roots, with local acts and newly emerging artists regularly getting the opportunity to perform.

The festival is - to say the least - a big deal and it draws a crowd of hundreds of thousands to the area, last year's event attracting its biggest-ever crown of some 346,000 people. 

A petition has been launched, calling for a halt to the threat to the future of the festival, with over 25,000 having signed it so far. The end of Vieilles Charrues would be a massive loss. Hopefully, things can be resolved before too much longer.

Spiderland play The Vaselines

So this is a Scottish-based blog that celebrates French music. How could we not be blown away by a French act that celebrates Scottish music?!

Spiderland have been around since the 90s, and based in Douarnenez in Brittany, although their influences came from further afield. With their name obviously a nod to Slint, their sound was more in tune with some of the more interesting acts on the UK indie scene during that era. 

They released their self-titled debut album in '98. The band came to a halt a short time later, but members became involved in other acts including Kaiser Palace and Coude.

Time moved on, and the members reconvened as Spiderland, releasing an EP Milestone in 2020. The album A Gentle Breeze followed last year. It's a great release, thoroughly worth investigating and enjoying. 

The new video is a cover of a song by legendary Scottish act The Vaselines. 

Spiderland announced the song as "A little present for the start of the year", adding "You're aware of our interest in Scottish music. BMX Bandits, Teenage Fan Club, The Pastels...and the Vaselines!"

We just need to get them over here to play to a Scottish audience! Mono in Glasgow would be ideal...

The return (?) of Manau

I was delighted to see the news a couple of days ago that French celtic rap act Manau are set to return
with a tour next year to mark the 20th anniversary of the celtic hip hop act that became one of France's biggest sellers in the late 90s.

Formed in '98, Manau had massive hit singles with La tribue de Dana, their first release, and Mais qui est la belette?, tracks that took Breton and celtic legend and looked at them through the lens of contemporary street culture.

The band's debut album Panique Celtique merged rap with celtic sounds from Brittany and picked up a best rap album award at the 1999 Victoire de la musique ceremony and sold over a million copies along the way. It remains a great listen, intelligent and witty, smart and original, an intoxicating potion brewed bu by bards with beats


Initially a trio, after their debut they became a duo of Martial Tricoche and Cédric Soubiron after RV Lardic quit.

Cédric Soubiron has had a tough time with health problems and debts over the years, leading to his eventual leaving the band. Recently he's begun working as a stage actor in Paris while remaining on good terms with Tricoche, who remained the last member of the band's central trio still at the mic under the Manau name.

So 2018 sees a return of sorts, although Manau never actually went away. However, some addditional promotion for the band is no bad thing,

Maybe there will be some new material too. Personally I can't wait to hear Le nouveau son de Manau!

Festival Art Rock, Saint-Brieuc

There's certainly no shortage of music festivals in France this summer, and June sees events taking place pretty much every weekend.

While big ticket events like Hellfest, Solidays and Main Square attract big names and massive crowds, and are becoming well known to the UK festival goer on account of their value for money and somewhat better conditions that their UK equivalent, some of the smaller event are every bit as worthy of investigating.

One such festival is Art Rock, held in Saint-Brieuc in Brittany, a three-day event that begins today.

On the bill are Julien Doré, La Femme, Cassius, Las Aves and Metronomy. Also playing over the weekend are Agar Agar, Radio Elvis, Paradis and dozens of others.

Many of these are acts I've written about extensively on this blog over the years, it's an impressive line up playing at the venues involved across the town over a packed weekend.

Over and above the musical elements, the event includes art exhibitions, dance and art events in venues across the town.

It's the perfect example of a well-considered line up of acts, combining the more established with the developing artists in an event that gives the audience a weekend immersion in some of the best acts that are currently playing in France.

Festival Interceltique de Lorient

This weekend sees the start of the world's biggest Celtic festival, with the Festival Interceltique de Lorient held in the Breton city.

This year's festival, the 46th, puts the spotlight on Australia, while still featuring the Celtic  nations closer to home.

Around 4500 singers, musicians and dancers are involved in events, from traditional to contemporary, pipe bands to rock acts, and among the big names are the Corrs, Joan Baez, Alan Stivell and Dan Ar Braz.

Meanwhile, smaller scale events and workshops take place across the city. Some of the events such as the Grande Parade on Sunday will be broadcast online on Culturebox and on TV on France 3

The festival takes place in tighter security than ever before, in light of events in France. This weekend's Lille Braderie, a huge fleamarket event held in the northern city, event was cancelled over security fears.

The Festival Interceltique de Lorient  runs until August 14.

Vieilles Charrues artists unveiled

Some of the headline acts for next summer's Vieilles Charrues festival have been unveiled, with some  big names in French music playing, including Alain Souchon and Laurent Voulzy  and Michel Polnareff.

Polnareff is about to release his first album in 25 years, and has a huge number of live dates scheduled for next year.

Souchon and Voulzy are still riding high on the popularity of their recent collaborative album, and released the track Bad Boys as a new single.

Meanwhile, the Téléphone reformation under the name Les Insus are headliners on the first night.

But it is not just veteran acts, with The Avener - producer and DJ who not only hit it big with his Wanderings of The Avener album but also produced recent work by Mylene Farmer - set to play.

Vieilles Charrues attracted 250,000 people to Carhaix in Brittany last year and the vent has gronw to be one of France's key music events.

Other artists who have signed up for the event include Louise Attaque, The Libertines, Lou Doillon, Major Lazer and Mickey 3d ,Nekfeu and Editors.

More names will be added as the event gets closer.

2016 will be the 25th birthday of the Vieilles Charrues festival, and so far an interesting event looks on the cards.

Vieilles Charrues takes place on July 14-17 2016.

Rencontres Trans Musicales 2015: First names confirmed

Details of the first 15 names confirmed for this year's Rencontres Trans Musicales 2015 festival in
Rennes in December have been revealed

A nicely done video reveals the names in a street art project in Rennes.

Dralms, Her, Grand Cannon, Paradis, Klaus Johan Grobe, Inuit, City Kay, Kaviar Special, Okmalumkoolkat, Rival Consoles, Binkbeats, Georgia, Swaggers, Mawimbi and Kokomo are the first names to emerge.

Many, many more will be added in forthcoming weeks.

The event has been one of the musical highlights for this blog over the past couple of years, with a real chance to experience a well-curated cross section of talent from France and beyond.

The  Rencontres Trans Musicales 2015 is held in Rennes from December 2 - December 6.

Festival: Vielles Charrues

The music festival focus in France moves to the west this week, with the Vielles Charrues event in
Brittany on Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday.

Tonight sees Muse headline, with Brodinski also playing.

Friday sees the fesival in full effect, with Christine and the Queens, The Do, Salut C'est cool, Feu! Chatterton and others, including Tom Jones.

The weekend includes sets from Thylacinde and Bagarre on Satuday, along with big names like Calogero and George Ezra and The Prodigy.

On the final night there are sets by David Guetta, Brigitte and Dominique A, as well as Lionel Richie, Joan Baez and London Grammar.

Vieilles Charrues festival 2015

Details have been released of the line-up for this year's Vieilles Charrues festival, one of the big
events in the French music calendar.

The event, to be held as usual in Carhaix in Brittany, sees David Guetta, Lionel Richie and Muse at the top of the bill of the four-day festival.

Elsewhere, London Grammer, George Ezra and the Do are on the bill. Joan Baez is also playing.

The festival regularly attracts over 200,000 people, last year it was headlined by The Black Keys, Stromae, Arctic Monkeys and Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Previos years have seen the likes of Neil Young, Rammstein, The Cure,  Sting and Bob Dylan play.

his year's  Vieilles Charrues festival takes place on July 16-19.

Rencontres Trans Musicales de Rennes: Another 10 acts confirmed

Ten new names have been added to the bill for this year's Transmusicales festival in Rennes.

Acts added include Oso Leone, Islam Chipsy, Dad Rocks!, Courtney Barnett, Eagles Gift, Jeanne Added, Le Zooo, Jambinai, Smoove and Turrell and Boris Brejcha.

It follows the announcement earlier this month of the first ten acts on the bill, with DBFC, Den Sorte Skole, I Me Mine, Lizzo, Meta Meta, Molotov Jukebox, Naked (on drugs), Kate Tempest, Thylacine and Vadou Game.

Another tranche of acts will be confirmed on September 12.

The annual event is a major showcase for acts and the festival's spirit has always had a forward looking  and wide ranging outlook.  

Last year the likes of  Stromae, London Grammar and Moodoïd played,  as did Le Vasco, Public Service Broadcasting and dozens of others.

Events include workshops and conferences, free gigs in the city as well as large-scale festival shows in the Parc Expo on the outskirts of Rennes.

The festival takes  place in Rennes from December 3 -7

Festival: Vielles Charrues

Another festival weekend in France, and this week the spotlight falls in the Vielles Charrues festival in
Brittany.

The four day event sees dozens of acts, both French and international, play across three stages.

It's the 23rd time the event's been held and its grown to be a festival that attracts some of the biggest   musical names.

The first day sees Vanessa Paradis headline the Glenmor stage, The Black Keys and Indochine also play.

Other stages host Skip the use, Fauve, Francois and the Atlas Mountains, Christne and the Queens and others.

Friday sees Tinariwen headline the Glenmor stade, with Elton John, Stromae and Gesaffelstein also there.

The three other stages, the Kerouac, Grall and Gwernig see the likes of Miossec, Franz Ferdinand, Casseurs Flowters and others.

The Saturday sees Breton, Détroit, Arctic Monkeys and Shaka Ponk on the main stage, Julien Doré amongt those on the other stages.

The final day sees Ky-Mani Marley, Christophe, Lily Allen and Thirty SEconds to Mars on the Glenmor stage, and the likes  Yodelice, Girls in Hawaii, Etienne Daho, Kavinsky and Von Pariahs elsewhere.

All in all, an event that not only attracts some of the biggest names, but hasn't forgotten its local roots and culture.

Merzhin: L'Éclaireur

I've always had plenty of time for Breton indie rock band Merzhin, and it's great to see s new video for the
track L'Éclaireur

Merzhin are an act who manage to produce a very decent contemporary indie rock, and effortlessly infuse it with a Breton flavour.

A careful listen to this track reveals the bombarde - a traditional Breton instrument - being played, but it's a million miles away from folk rock.

They've always been an impressive live act, and it's nice to see a video doing them justice.

The track comes from their Des heures a la Seconds album, which came out in March and is being released on vinyl on June 23.

Nolwenn Leroy sings Breton anthem at the Stade de France

A major football match in France takes place today, with the Coupe de France final between Guingamp and Stade Rennais.

I'm not usually interested in football, but an all-Breton final of a national game is certainly something that I like, but the main reason that it gets my attention is that Nolwenn Leroy is to perform the Breton national anthem at the Stade de France before the game.

Of course, there will also be a rendition of the Marseillaise, but the Breton singer will take to the stage before kick off to sing Bro gozh ma zadoù.

The song featured on her 2010 Bretonne album, a number one seller in France which no doubt did much to raise the profile of Breton music.



Nolwen Leroy was initially best known as the winner of the second series of Star Academ in France, releasing her debut album in 2003 following her victory. She's since gone on to be one of France's most high profile female singers, Bretonne securing her status and her subsequent Ô Filles de l'Eau in 2012 building on its predecessor's success.

It's not the first time this kind of situation has arisen, with Alan Stivell performing the song before the involving the same two clubs at the Stade de France in 2009.



The two singers, probably the two best known Breton musicians,  have performed the song together. While Stivell has had a long career as a pioneer of Breton music, there's little denying that Leroy has done much to bring it to a new generation.



Whatever the score at the end of 90 minutes, it will be a memorable day for Brittany.

UPDATE:

Here's some video of the performance at the Stade de France:


Bro gozh ma zadou by OuestFranceFR

Dead: Live at the Ubu in Rennes

Great to see some more quality video surface of the band Dead, a Rennes-based act who I was fortunate
enough to catch during the Transmusicales even in the city in December.

They're filmed live at the Ubu, a venue in the city, where they played this weekend by city TV station Rennes TV.

I was impressed with Dead when I saw them, their live show taking the menace of 80s dark acts like Sisters of Mercy into the 21st century.

 My review of their December gig is on the site here.

As an aside, it's worth remarking that Rennes TV are doing exactly what a local/city TV station should be doing in terms of presenting emerging talent from their city in the best possible light.  The production is of the highest standards, and absolutely appropriately done for the act involved.

 Dead are the kind of interesting act that deserve attention, but who  might find themselves elbowed out in favour of more commercially recognised acts when it comes to making appearances on national TV.

Local TV is boing launched shortly in Scotland, and while the environment is very different to the one that has seen Rennes TV flourish since its creation in 1987 hopefully some lessons will be learned from their apparent success.

Hopefully we'll see more of Dead before too long, and hopefully Rennes TV will continue to provide a valuable showcase for more of the acts from the city's vibrant local scene.

Gilles Servat: Je dors en Bretagne ce soir

While enjoying the acts at the Trans Musicales event in France, this song by Gilles Servat is one that I find sticking in my mind.

Admittedly Rennes might not be the most rural part of Brittany, but none the less this is where I find myself.

The music of Gilles Servat may be very diffferent to the music being showcased at the Trans Musicales event that's on at the city, but music has been one of the key elements to Breton identity, and Servat has been at the forefront of this.

This song originally appeared on his 1973 album L'Hirondelle.

He has been releasing work since his 1970 debut La Blanche Hermine, performing in English, French and Breton.

He's long been a campaigner for Breton language and culture, and stood up to the Front National's use of his song Blanche Hermine in his 1998 live album Touche pas à la Blanche Hermine.

His work has included French interpretations of songs by English-language songwriters like Christy Moore, whose La Quinta Brigada he performed, as well as Ewan MacColl's Dirty Old Town, under the title Vieille Ville de Merde.

Servat remains a big presence in the Breton music scene, with a live schedule that artists more than half his age would welcome, and  his most recent alum being released last month.

Mother of Two: Breizh Cola advert

A new advertising campaign in France by Breizh Cola, the third biggest selling Cola in France (I wonder what the other two might be...?) sees Paris indie band Mother of Two providing the soundtrack.

The brand sells well in the Brittany area, and this year it's expanding its sales to Paris.

Breizh Cola is certainly quite an innovator in its marketing, it's red and white colour scheme and it's Breton versioning of American iconography (Film posters, GIs etc) gives it a cheeky and rebellious profile.

In many ways it reminds me of Scotland's Irn-Bru, an iconic brand in its local area, using clever marketing and advertising to establish itself beyond the area of its traditional support.

The brand's long been involved as a sponsor for musical events in Brittany, such as the Vielles Charrues festival and the Festival Interceltique de l'Orient.

Good luck to them, and hopefully we'll get see it more available before too long.

The music meanwhile is by Mother of Two, a Paris based trio who recently released their first EP I want to Meet You. It's certainly something that fans of bands like the Frantellis or Supergrass would love instantly.

Singer Julien Gaulier has been active in indie folk act Hey Hey My My since 2005, Mother of Two formed by the musicians' mutual love of 90s alternative rock.

Hellfest 2013

I've previewed the Hellfest three day metal event in previous years, so I figured this year should be no exception.

Hellfest has become one of Europe's premier metal/rock events, with six stages packed with acts over the three days of June 21, 22 and 23 in Clisson, around 35km from Nantes.

Last year saw Guns 'n' Roses, Megadeth and Ozzy and Friends (Black Sabbath by any other name) play, along with acts covering the whole spectrum of rock and metal, from classic and vintage to new and underground.

This year headliners are Def Leppard, KISS and Volbeat, the main stage 2 presenting Avantasia, Korn and Danzig. At the Gates, Morbid Angel and Arch Enemy play the Altar stage, the Temple stage presenting God Seed, Immortal and Cradle of Filth.

Meanwhile, Neurosis, Manilla Road and Swans play the Valley, and Sick of it All, NOFX and The Toy Dolls play the more punk orientated Warzone.

Other acts include Lordi, Bullet for my valantine, helloween, Ghost, Buzzcocks, Sleep, Cult of Luna, Hypocrisy, Marduk, Finntroll, Anti Flag, The Sword, Korpiklaani, Kreator, Voivod, whitesnake, Europe, ZZ Top, Twisted Sister, Accept and
Down.

All in all, around 160 bands play the event. Something for everyone, if you like metal and rock obviously...

The line up at each of the six stages is so strong it could almost pass for six seperate events being held at the same weekend in the same location.

It always surprises me that events like this are not more popular with a UK audience. Maybe a bit more marketing could put Hellfest into the diaries of thousands of fans with the cancellation of Sonisphere in the UK for the second year. While it might be a bit further afield, western France is pretty much on the UK's doorstep and with the line up as packed as it is, it certainly gives value for money.

La Route du Rock: Festival

This weekend sees the La Route du Rock summer festival in St Malo in Brittany.

The festival has been running since 1991, this year's event being the 22nd time it's been held.

With a very open-minded indie and international outlook, prevous years have seen the likes of Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, PJ Harvey and Mogwai playing.

The town is a great venue for a festival, with shows taking place at a number of venues in a seaside town at the height of summer.

This year thirty bands play at three venues, the beach stage, the auditorium of Le Palais du Grand Large and the castle stage at the 18th century Vauban castle.

On the bill are the likes of Squarepusher, Spiritualized, Yeti Lane and Dominique A on the Friday, the Saturday sees Mark Lanegan, the XX and Breton, along with a second show by Dominique A.

The Sunday features amongst others Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Mazzy Star and the Walkmen.

Quite a few of the shows will be shown live online at Arte's Live Web website http://liveweb.arte.tv/fr including Spiritualised, Dominique A and Alt J.

Festival Interceltique at L'Orient

This weekend sees the Festival interceltique get underway in L'Orient.

with Breton fest-noz events, concerts and parades taking place in the town, its a festival like no other. While focussed on celtic music, it takes the broadest definition that sees it include acts from beyond what would normally be regarded as traditional.

The programme features local and international acts, including Breton legend Dan Ar Braz and the Buena Vista Social Club from Cuba, and there is a particular focus on French Canadian acts this year, with names like Roch Voisine and Buffy Sainte Marie.

There are, of course, acts from the Celtic nations of Europe, Brittany, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, The Isle of Man, Galicia and Asturias. The music ranges from pipe bands to punk rock, with the formal programme boosted by events taking place in bars and cafes around the town until late at night.

The festival runs from today (Friday August 3) until August 12.

Bob Dylan at Vieilles Charrues

This weekend saw the Vieilles Charrues festival taking place in Brittany, one of France's premier music festivals.

The event was headlined by The Cure on Friday night, Sting on Saturday and Bob Dylan on Sunday. Also on the bill were Portishead, LMFAO, Gossip, garbage, Kasabian and Santigold, and there was also a huge number of some of the best current French acts, including Justice, M83, Martin Solveig, Zebda, Amadou &; Mariam, Thomas Dutronc, and many, many others.

In short, it's a big deal. but reviews of Bob Dylan's set were what could politely be called 'mixed.'

I've seen Dylan quite a few times, even in France, and yes he has disappointed at times, but also has staged one of the finest shows I've ever seen.

Despite being a huge fan, I've passed on buying tickets for shows in the past on account of uncertainty over whether or not he'll be any good.

 Professional photographers were also banned from taking pics of Dylan, which certainly upset many of the media, although I seem to remember that this is something that Dylan always does. I've even seen security staff at his concerts on the lookout for members of the audience taking pictures.

Also, there were complaints about the set, that didn't play all the hits and performed some of his less well known more recent numbers. And there was no encore, no audience interaction.

 But I have some sympathy for Dylan. He's been performing for decades, and I reckon these days - and for the last decade or two - he's been playing for his own enjoyment as much as for the audience's.

He doesn't play the media game because he's in a pretty unique position because he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to. He's under no pressure to sell records or tickets, after all.

He could have put his feet up decades ago.

The media don't like an artist that doesn't do what they want, and to a certain extent the same applies to an audience. He doesn't play the same set night after night because he's still a living artist rather than a museum piece, and besides, he'll never please everyone with a back catalogue as large as his.

 As a performer he still takes risks, and while this doesn't always pay off, when it does the rewards are great indeed.

 Next year's festival will be held on July 18 - 21, and the organisers say that securing an appearance by Radiohead is one of their priorities. Hopefully they'll leave the audience a bit happier.