Festival: Francofolies La Rochelle

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Francofolies La Rochelle festival, an event that sees dozens of  the finest acts in the French music scene playing numerous venues at the French seaside town.

Unlike other festivals in France, Les Francofolies de La Rochelle puts the focus firmly on French acts.

Each year it attracts over 150,000 to the town and the success of the event in La Rochelle over the years led to the establishment of a parallel festival in Montreal and in Spa in Belgium.

The festival takes place over five nights, with the opening night on Thursday featuring a celebration show entitled "Les Copains d'abord", marking the 30th anniversary of the event with a cast including Jacques Higelin, Alain Souchon, , Yannick Noah, Benebar, Catherine Ringer, Zaz, Nolwenn Leroy and many more.

The festival itself gets under way today, and there are opportunities to see on the main stage Tal, Ben l'oncle Soul, Zaz and Christophe Mae, and elsewhere there are other shows including Julien Doré and Owlle.

The second night sees Plaza Fancia, Détroit and Shaka Ponk take to the Grand Scene stage, and at other venues there are the likes of Miossec and Feu! Chatterton.

Sunday night sees Cats on Trees, Casseurs Flowters, IAM and Fauve  at the Grand Scene stage, and elsewhere there are Grand Corps Malade and Natas Loves You.

The final night features Francois and the Atlas Mountains, Gaetan Roussel and Stromae take to the  Grand Scene stage, and other shows elsewhere including Christine and the Queens and Jean-Lous Murat.

In short, a pretty good snapshot of everything that's good in the French music scene at the moment.