The announcement of the 17e edition of Hellfest has somewhat disrupted the habits of its faithful. Since its birth, the event has taken place every third weekend of June. But not for this 2024 edition, which will exceptionally take place a week later.
The gates of hell will open on the immense site of Clisson (Loire-Atlantique) from this Thursday, June 27, to close three days later on the night of Sunday, June 30 to Monday, June 1is July.
Last year, 60,000 spectators per day attended the rock-metal festival and this year again, tickets were sold before the lineup was even known.
“Foo Fighters are a rock essential, pioneers who made history”
There is one reason for this change in schedule: to allow the American group Foo Fighters to be present. Dave Grohl (ex-Nirvana) and his band will perform on Sunday evening. “ We’ve been looking for these for years », rejoices Éric Perrin, communications manager for the festival.
And too bad for the somewhat grumpy die-hard “metalheads” who consider that the festival is selling its soul to the devil by offering its stage to such a group that can be considered “mainstream”: “ Foo Fighters are a rock essential, they are pioneers who made history. Their presence at Hellfest makes perfect sense » answers Éric Perrin.
“A program that is becoming more feminine”
Alongside Foo Fighters, nearly 180 groups will also be there, with other huge names such as Metallica (who will be returning to Clisson), Queens of the Stone Age, Megadeath, Offspring, Dropkick Murphys, Prodigy, Shaka Ponk …
They will perform on six official stages, each with its own musical specialty: hard rock, heavy metal, death metal, stoner, punk… Without forgetting the alternative scenes on the outskirts such as the metal corner, the Kult, the Hellstage. “ Please note that we have a program that is becoming more and more feminine with forty groups that include at least one artist. », would like to emphasize Éric Perrin.
Among the new features this year, in addition to the incredible decor of iron and fire which also forms the basis of Hellfest, festival-goers will see for the first time walking around (every day from 10 p.m. to midnight) the Guardian of Darkness, construction monumental and animated metallic, manufactured by the Nantes company La Machine “ and who is called upon to have a major role in our festival ».
Another first this year: for the little ones, the first edition of Hellfest Kids, a mini-festival for children, which will take place on Wednesday, the day before the official opening. In total, 900 students attending school in the area are invited. “ We are transmitting our passion for this type of music,” assures the communications manager.
At the height of the event, around 1,500 people work on Hellfest (including around thirty throughout the year), as well as 5,000 volunteers, “without whom this festival could not take place”.
After the controversies
The 2023 edition of the festival was the target of heated controversies, notably with the programming of artists accused of violence against women. Hellfest was also criticized for being too energy intensive and for having suddenly increased its tickets last year (+40 euros). “I am making amends,” responds to Le Parisien, director Ben Barbaud, who adds: “the controversies helped me realize that the festival had to do more.”
