Festival-goers were all smiles on Saturday evening, waiting for their favorite group which was wrapping up its North American tour and who, exceptionally, was in Granby to replace All That Remains who had to cancel their presence.
“It’s really big, there are 25 in the technical team. Others bands six or seven arrive and there are 25 of them! We rearrange the whole scene for their show», Mentions Jean-Philippe Locas, one of the organizers of the event.
People in the crowd had arrived early to ensure they had a good seat.
“I was unsure about coming to the festival and then, when In Flames was announced, it was one of my bands favorites for the last 20 years, I had to introduce myself! They are in Granby! They are literally at our house!” mentions Guillaume who was present with his girlfriend, Hélène.
It was unanimous, the festival-goers were still in shock to see their favorite group in Granby.
Jérémie, a fan of the group In Flames and a volunteer for the festival since its beginnings, was still in shock that “his” group was in “his” city! (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
“In Flames is my second band that I trip the most there! In Flames in Granby is ruined!” exclaims Jérémie, who was already jumping everywhere, an hour before the group took the stage.
Many families were also present at the festival site. Because yes, the Festival au lac is also open to children.
“We enjoy being together, as a family,” says Olivier Jacques, with his partner and their three children.
Marc-André, Olivier and Stacy particularly appreciate the Festival, not only for the music, but also for being able to bring their children with them. (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
His girlfriend, Stacy Gingras, says the group In Flames means a lot to the couple. “In Flames was the first music group we saw together before we were officially a couple. So we introduce it to our children.”
Marc-André, a friend of the couple, was with them. His son, Édouard, is also a young fan of the music group. “We listen to In Flames on dad’s iPod.”
From white heads to toddlers, several generations gathered for one evening to see the music group perform.
A show that moves
At exactly 8:06 p.m., the first notes are heard. With their fists in the air, festival-goers are ready to welcome the long-awaited group. It is under a gray sky that the crowd begins to scream when the musicians take the stage.
People dressed as pandas, ninja turtles, magicians and many under their rain ponchos… many were singing the songs! Furthermore, a countless number of fans wore a sweater in the colors of the legendary group.
The crowd at the Lac festival, Saturday evening, during the In Flames show. (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
The rain started to fall during the third song, which did not prevent the audience from savoring the moment, singing at the top of their lungs and, for some, surf on the crowd.
Remember that in addition to the In Flames performance, several other groups appeared in the Saturday lineup, such as Run Terry Run, a group from Granby, Basterds, Get the shot, Lionheart, Blessthefall, and to conclude the evening, August Burns Red took the stage at 9:45 p.m.
It was with great respect that the evening took place at Daniel-Johnson Park.
A record evening
According to Jean-Philippe Locas, one of the organizers, 1,500 more people than last year visited the site during the three days of the festival.
“Today [samedi], it’s our record day. We exceed 3,000 people,” he adds.
Jean-Philippe Locas, one of the organizers of the Festival au lac (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
Mr. Locas confirms that he is already thinking about a next festival for 2025.
“I cannot officially confirm, there will be an assessment from the City of Granby, but yes, we are there, we have already sent offers to groups for next year. It happened a year ago.”
— Jean-Philippe Locas
He adds that there will always be local groups in his programming. “The three days opened with local groups and this will be the key every year.”
A festival that does good
The people on site were all very happy to be able to attend a different music festival.
“We have had classic activities for a long time. Old car stuff, cover bandshomages to the 50s. But to see that there is a punk rock metal festival here, it’s really cool!”, mention Guillaume and Hélène.
“It’s great visibility for the Granby region to have an international group like that coming to play here. This is what I find wowfor the community, it’s great visibility!”
— Olivier, who had traveled from Sainte-Angèle-de-Monnoir
In addition, the site was still clean at the start of the evening and this is partly thanks to the reusable glasses. People didn’t throw their cans on the ground, because they had to bring the glasses back to refill them, an idea that festival-goers particularly appreciated.
“The organization is great here, it’s super well organized,” concludes Hélène.
Saturday evening was the closing night of the Festival au Lac at Daniel-Johnson Park. The most anticipated group of the festival was In Flames and for the occasion, The Voice of the East was spot on! (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
