Francofolies ever more multicolored and transgenerational

NTM, Orelsan, Damso, Jeanne Added, Juliette Armanet, Eddy De Pretto, Jain, Julien Clerc and "a party" to Véronique Sanson: there will be many colors and for all audiences at Francofolies from La Rochelle, from Wednesday to Sunday

"The Francos + want to be a family and popular event, which brings together all the generations.For five-six years, we started a big work of opening at the level of the artistic direction, we have adapted the program to what people are listening to ", explains to AFP Florence Games, the director general and artistic

Created in 1985 by Jean-Louis Foulquier, who was the director for 20 years, the Francofolies have long been the essential summer rendezvous of French song. Since 2004, headed by Gérard Pont, via his company Morgane, an opening to the current music has been operated.

"The tank the French song is exhausted and it also tires the audience a bit. complicated to fill the festival only with Benabar, Zazie, etc. We must be the showcase of all French productions, with the artists who have marked the year, but also with those who will mark the next, "argues Florence Games.

For this reason the 2018 plateau looks very balanced and ticket sales give reason to the organizers, since three evenings on the stage Jean-Louis Foulquier are already complete. In this case, those of Thursday (Roméo Elvis, Damso, NTM), Friday (Lorenzo, Bigflo & Oli and Shaka Ponk) and Saturday (Eddy De Pretto, Jeanne Added, Jain, Orelsan) who give pride of place to rap and Other current music

For these artists, all massively watched in streaming on the internet and whose tours fill the halls of the Hexagon without trouble, the "Francos" had to be a must stop on their festival routes.

"Until recently, a few years ago, they had a rather dusty image of the festival.Today it's changing, it's a festival that really counts, anchored in the news and the also does, "welcomes Florence Games.

Sanson, Stills and the Blues?

A festival that also continues to attract the world, since 150,000 people (including 90,000 payers) attended in 2017.

To do so well this year, " we try to do things we do not see elsewhere, "says Florence Jeux. "We will organize musical documentaries every morning at the cinema, where the public will be able to meet the film crew, and there will also be an exhibition by Albin de la Simone, who will be showing his drawings for the first time."

"We also try to personalize the shows, we propose to the artists to have guests, to do things a little different.They do not always want it because it requires an investment, work upstream, rehearsals not always easy to put in place, "she continues.

Reason why, there will be no creation this year. "We have had several refusals," admits Florence Jeux, "It's always difficult to get in. To take on a new repertoire, to appropriate it is complicated, it's a risk taking both personal and media." [19659003] "But there will be Wednesday this great party to Veronique Sanson, which ultimately looks like a small creation," she says. The singer will perform with several guests such as Alain Souchon, Jeanne Cherhal, Vianney, Tryo. But also and especially his former companion Stephen Stills and their son Christopher.

"It will be a real event, quite unexpected," says the director of the Francos. Stalled between the concerts of Raphael and Calogero, it is not yet complete. Ditto for the closing party Sunday with Juliette Armanet, Jane Birkin ("Gainsbourg Symphonique"), Brigitte and MC Solaar.

That day, the World Cup-2018 will come to an end, with a final that could play France . A match before the concerts and retransmitted on giant screens. Hopefully, the party could be crazier than expected.

09/07/2018 12:22:32 –
Paris (AFP) –
© 2018 AFP