The 15th edition of the legendary extreme music festival kicked off this Friday, June 17 under a blazing sun.
The heat wave that a large part of France is currently going through - twelve departments placed on heat wave red alert - has transformed the festival site in Clisson, in Loire-Atlantique, into a real hell.
For this first weekend of festivities, the mercury could rise to 39°C on Saturday afternoon.
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While nearly 450,000 spectators are expected for these 7 days of concerts, the festival announced on its twitter account to adapt its security instructions.
After reminding festival-goers of some basic rules to better withstand these temperatures and thus fully enjoy the performances of Metallica, Deep Purple or Gojira:
“Drink!
(some water...).
Eat enough.
Wet the body.
Cover his head.
Enjoy the shade."
The festival then announced that it would accept
“shades, water bottles and plastic bottles (with water / soft drink only)”
on the entire festival site, including the concert area.
In a previous post, the festival said it only accepts cups or backpacks with a water bag in this part of the site.
A usual measure in music festivals to prevent plastic bottle caps from being transformed into projectiles but which, in the face of extreme temperatures, is not suitable.
“A festive moment for everyone”
For his part, Didier Martin, the prefect of Loire-Atlantique also called for the greatest vigilance:
"Hellfest is one of the major music festivals on our territory and it must take place in the best conditions with the support of state services to remain a festive moment for everyone”,
according to comments reported by
Ouest-France
.
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In addition, he also called
for "the vigilance of all festival-goers on the risks associated with GHB (psychotropic) and the phenomenon of
wild bites
",
particularly observed during concerts and festivals for several months.
A problem to which the Hellfest also raises awareness of its festival-goers with the “Hellwatch” device
.
A team of 60 volunteers and an application available on mobile phones are available to everyone to report any
"behaviour, harassment or aggression"
of a sexual or sexist nature.