Montauban Festival on stage: an American pop star revealed in a few days

It’s not so easy to put together a festival program, especially for a tenth edition! The pressure to succeed in casting, coupled with the difficulties of finding attractive artists but at prices that remain affordable, makes the mission of the organizers of Montauban en Scènes very complicated. Tenth edition will certainly rhyme with an exceptional year. In any case, this is the wish of the organizers for this festival which brings together the most people in the department. Five months before the first evening, a headliner is still missing to complete a program which has already revealed 11 of the 12 artists who will perform on the stage of the Jardin des Plantes, from Thursday June 19 to Sunday June 22, 2025.

To open the festivities, on Thursday June 19, Soprano will be the big star of the evening. The interpreter of J’suis en feu will finally grace the stage of the Jardin des Plantes with his presence. Because he was already supposed to be present in 2020, an edition canceled due to Covid, then in 2021, before unknowingly giving up. This time, the Marseille rapper, who knows how to make his audience jump as well as touch them right in the heart, will be there. To heat up the atmosphere, another rapper is expected in the second part of the evening: Jungeli. This promising young artist, who released his first album En attendant pour le peuple last month, marked the year 2024. Named as French-speaking revelation of the year at the NRJ Music Awards, he enjoyed resounding success with Petit Genius. Finally, the first part will be provided by Dinaa, the interpreter of Lisa, a title where folk and soul mix. His unique voice and engaging lyrics will mark a memorable start to the evening.

On Saturday June 21, a day which coincides with the music festival, Jean-Louis Aubert will give all his energy on the festival stage, preceded by Eagle-Eye Cherry. Another guest confirmed for this evening is the singer Adé, who will also participate in this anniversary by bringing her personal and fresh touch.

Sunday June 22 will be marked by the exceptional presence of Mathieu Chedid. Clearly, this day seems to be M’s glory day in Montauban en Scènes. This time again, he will share the stage with the Lamomali collective, notably composed of Toumani and Sidiki Diabaté as well as Fatoumata Diawara. With 40 musicians on stage, enough to get the audience dancing, this evening promises to be a grandiose finale. Before them, the saxophonist Ferdi will continue the furrow dug by Sofiane Pamart the previous year, with music with chic acoustic inspirations but accessible to the greatest number of people. To complete this last dance, the festival meets with Synapson. The French DJ duo, childhood friends, made themselves known with hits like All in You or more recently Mona Ki Ngi Xica (a duet with Bonga).

ZZ Top gives up, no Scorpions or Kylie Minogue…

However, a question mark remains: the Friday night headliner, who will be an internationally renowned star. Although everything seemed settled a year ago, the American group ZZ Top finally canceled its European tour for health reasons. Since then, plans B, even C or D, have multiplied, with names like Scorpions, Dire Straits, Kylie Minogue or Jean-Michel Jarre mentioned then dismissed. While the fees of international stars are exploding (some artists have seen their fees double in one year, from 200,000 to 500,000 euros), the organizers hope to finalize this announcement in early February. According to some indiscretions, it could be an American pop star who has no dates in Europe this year. An exclusivity that we hope is worthy of this tenth anniversary.