No return to normal this summer.
After a year of health crisis, the festivals should take place in a seated configuration, with a limit of 5,000 spectators, said the Syndicate of current music (Sma), confirmed by the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot on BFM TV.
These conditions are however incompatible with Hellfest, a large hard rock gathering organized in Clisson in June, which gathered nearly 180,000 spectators in 2019.
To read also: Ben Barbaud of Hellfest: "The risk of canceling the festivals in 2021 is important"
For Ben Bardaud, creator of the festival, "
this postponement was certainly inevitable,
" he said at the microphone of France Info.
"
It's hard to imagine 5,000 hard rockers sitting on a chair two meters away, enjoying listening to their artists,
" said the boss.
Ben Bardaud nevertheless ensures that his team is working on an alternative to be able to exist this summer.
"
So, will it be done digitally?"
Will it be in the form of a support concert?
I don't know yet
, he explained.
We remain 100% motivated to go back to 2022, offer new things and ensure that the festival comes back to life.
After two canceled editions, the manager does not seem to hold a grudge, and praises the courage of the minister.
“
She insisted on the fact that she was also going to accompany festivals that will not be able to adapt.
Hoping that next year, this epidemic will really be behind us
”.
Three evenings for 20,000 people
Like Hellfest, other behemoths bemoan the new government restrictions while cheering them on.
For the organizers of the Nuit de l'Eure (in Nort-sur-Erdre), which is to take place from June 25 to 27, “
three evenings for 20,000 people will not take place
”, which will again generate a big loss on event revenue.
“
On the other hand, we are all going to think together about imagining concerts with 5,000 spectators.
If it's playable, we'll work on it,
”said the festival team to
Ouest-France.
Read also: A second year without Solidays, the festival cancels its 2021 edition
Ditto for the Poupet festival in Vendée.
“
On our 14 evenings planned, I am already canceling two rap events which were to welcome between 15 and 20,000 spectators.
For all the others, we are going to offer concerts to 5,000 people seated,
”explained Philippe Maindron, its president, to the Rennes daily.
This new configuration inevitably shower the hopes of great bamboche this summer.
But while festivals were mostly resigned to canceling their 2021 edition, these new restrictions will save a few.
An initiative for which they remain grateful.