It was the last big cloud over La Rochelle. Sunday, the news of the death of Jane Birkin darkened the atmosphere of the Francofolies. And tears flowed down the cheeks of the festival-goers. Scheduled six times at the festival from 1992 to 2021, the Englishwoman had left her mark on the land of La Rochelle. “He was a great person, demanding, funny, artist, militant. It is in our walls and our memories. At the Francofolies, we are touched and bruised, ”declared Gérard Pont, director of the event, at the microphone of France Bleu – Charente Maritime. The same evening, a tribute in images and music was projected on the screens of the main stage to say goodbye to him one last time.
In 2018, the icon had achieved one of the most memorable performances in the history of the festival by interpreting the Marseillaise on the big stage after the victory of France in the final of the football world cup.
Despite this sad event that occurred on the last day of the festivities and the immense pain that gripped the city, the weekend in La Rochelle was still marked by beautiful days that delighted both visitors and organizers.
A marriage proposal in the middle of a concert, festival-goers aged 7 to 77, collective fervor and a touch of chauvinism: that’s the spirit of the “Francos”. From July 12 to 16, La Rochelle hosted the 38th edition of this emblematic west coast festival founded by Jean Louis Foulquier in 1985. These five days of music and encounters brought together nearly 150,000 people this year.
Friday July 14. On this national holiday, the atmosphere is warm and the port obstructed. Difficult to clear a path between tourists and festival-goers stamping with impatience for this third day of festivities. From the beginning of the afternoon, a long queue forms at the foot of the Tour de la Chaîne, the entrance porch to the main stage of the festival. Under a blazing sun, the name of DJ Snake is on everyone’s lips. The expectation around the star is immense for her premiere at the Francos.
A few hours later, the doors open. The usual Saint-Jean-d’Acre car park transformed into the “Jean-Louis Foulquier Stage” fills up quickly. On the esplanade, the artists follow one another. Aime Simone gets the ball rolling. A year after having played on one of the smallest stages of the festival, the tattooed young man ignites more than 12,000 people. Then follow the sparkling southern group Deluxe for their third visit to La Rochelle and the experienced rapper Disiz. The founder of the “Sublime” label offers a show tinged with emotion marked by a marriage proposal in the middle of the pit and a beautiful cover of his title That they are lucky in the heart of the crowd. The fireworks of the city, visible from the stage, then precede the XXL performance of the long-awaited Parisian DJ. At the end of the concert, the fans exult. “It’s nice to have been able to experience such a beautiful evening! All the artists have given back to the public the love it has given them”, rejoices Marine, 19 years old.
Shortly after this end of the evening in apotheosis, the day dawns again, as if to maintain the frenetic rhythm of the festival. On this Saturday, July 16, the sun is hardly pointing the tip of its nose. Not enough to taint the morale of the 350 employees who are busy in the morning. “It’s really a chance to be able to do this work”, confides one of them, dressed in the recognizable blue t-shirt of the flocked staff Kickers (partner of the festival). He raises a security barrier then adds: “It’s my first edition but I hope to be able to take it again next year!” ” Selected after a spontaneous application or through a new partnership with the local mission, these employees are “essential to the proper functioning of the festival” according to Emilie Yakich. The co-director of the festival explains: “For everything to run smoothly, you need a well-oiled mechanism.”
For this fourth day of festivities, the tireless pattern is repeated. The sad clouds disperse in the afternoon as if the party could not be spoiled and the crowd gathers again in front of the main stage entrance arch. In the queue, the faces are youthful and the excitement palpable. On the evening program: Chilla, Tiakola, Djadja and Dinaz and Soprano.
A few steps from here, another type of public gathers in front of the Grand Théâtre to commune with Renaud. After having sung Georges Moustaki the day before, the sacred monster of French song offers this evening a personal show featuring the most beautiful prose from his repertoire. In the hall, there are hundreds of red bandanas and all ages are represented.
On stage, surrounded by eight talented musicians, the septuagenarian no longer has his range of yesteryear but the communion with the public remains unchanged. The love for the singer’s magnificent career is felt when the 1,000 spectators rise in heart to resume the mythical Northern Irish ballad.
At the exit, the magic seems to have operated. “Of course he’s not the same man as he was thirty years ago, but he’s still our Renaud! I am an unconditional fan”, proclaims Valérie accompanied by her daughter.
Over the five days of the festival, 100 concerts, 20 conferences and 2 exhibitions took place in 8 different places. “It’s an exceptional year, the five evenings on the main stage were sold out two months in advance,” rejoices Emilie Yakich.
Another success of the festival, the crazy free encounters at the École d’Or. Between the “literary madness” around Didier Varrod and the meeting “I have the memory that sings” hosted by Éric Fottorino, the beautiful shaded courtyard was full by welcoming 200 people every day. For the second of these two events, the director of 1 (partner of the festival) received daily a personality ranging from Erik Orsenna to Thierry Marx via Julie Gayet, Alex Vizorek or Thierry Ardisson. With an immutable principle: to evoke five songs that have marked their lives.
Finally, this edition was, once again, the opportunity to propel new talents thanks to the project “Le Chantier des Francofolies”. Selected last October, 15 emerging artists were able to benefit from support throughout the year to work on their art as well as their stage performance. The latter then had the chance to perform during the festival. “This initiative, which has been going on for several years, is really part of the festival’s DNA. It’s important for us to give visibility to young artists who want to train on stage,” says the co-director of the festival.
During these few days, there will therefore be something for everyone. The eclecticism and the thirst for discovery will have given rise to beautiful scenes of jubilation and sharing. The paroxysm of this communion was perhaps felt thanks to a simple slogan chanted by all the crowds, whatever the place, whatever the public: “Here, here it is La Rochelle!”
