If the lanterns of the Fiesta des Suds went out on Saturday evening, the party continued in the afternoon on Sunday October 13 on the J4 esplanade for the “Family Fiesta“, a free day of workshops and shows organized with the support of the City of Marseille and the Department. Among the unmissable attractions, the Jour de fête show ride, designed by the Marseille manufacturer Sud Side. The children themselves also took the spotlight on stage since the little Marseilles from the Cité des minots choir sang with Angélique Kidjo.
“Families from different districts of Marseille take over this pleasant esplanade“, underlines Nathalie Solia, director of the event. This sunny day was the high point of the 33rd edition of the Fiesta des Suds, which boasts 25,000 spectators. Thursday evening (with MC Solaar and Seun Kuti at the head of poster, Editor’s note) was sold out with 8,000 people on the site. Friday evening attracted 6,000 visitors, Saturday evening 5,000 people despite the rain.8,000 people is the maximum format we are aiming for, so that people move from one stage to another fluidly throughout the evening.“
Public renewal
A study of the public, carried out every year for the past five years, shows that half of the respondents have already come to the festival and half are coming for the first time. “We benefit from a loyal audience, but also from renewal“, comments Nathalie Solia. The average age of the festival-goer is 38 years old. “We attract a mature audience on the big stage, but also a very young audience by programming innovative artists at the Major club, in a discotheque format. Rappers Meryl and Ana Tijoux were extraordinary. Among the revelations, Kabeaushé turned the dancefloor upside down.“
As in its beginnings, the Fiesta serves as a springboard for regional artists. She thus welcomed the winner of the Orizon Sud springboard, Juan Onj, and the winner of the RiffX springboard organized with its partner Crédit Mutuel, King Crab.
