Festi’neuch, which began Thursday and ends Sunday evening, had a successful 23rd edition. The Neuchâtel Open Air Festival did not experience any major security problems, despite a record attendance of 57,000 people. The festival was sold out for the first time two months in advance.
“The new Cargo stage made it possible to increase the number of festival-goers on Thursday evening by 2,000,” Antonin Rousseau, director of Festi’neuch, said on Sunday. “The space was larger and more airy and the sound quality was much better. The artists also appreciated and noted that the technical conditions were up to par,” he added.
The new revelation of the French song Zaho de Sagazan inaugurated the Cargo. “It was a great moment, rich in emotions. She is a full, complete artist and full of talents,” explained Antonin Rousseau.
On Friday evening, the concert by Etienne Daho, who dedicated it to Françoise Hardy who died a few days earlier, was also very moving. The show was very appreciated by the public and considered a great moment by the fans who follow the French artist on his tour.
No major incident
Eddy de Pretto was able to touch a huge crowd on Saturday evening with his fervor. The French singer “communicated with his audience through a sincere and deep connection.” It was a highlight of this edition, as was the minute of silence proposed by the Palestinians of 47SOUL, in tribute to the tens of thousands of civilian victims in Gaza on the Lacustre stage.
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The Bigflo and Oli concert on Sunday evening is also eagerly awaited. “It promises quite a few surprises and a grand finale,” added Antonin Rousseau.
The organizers are “very satisfied and happy” because there were no major security and medical incidents. The “Here it’s cool” preventive system has proven itself both internally with volunteers and externally with festival-goers.
Smooth and pleasant site
Despite the redevelopment work at Jeunes-Rives, the site remained fluid and pleasant “and the public took over the place,” said the director. Festi’neuch has kept the same surface area. It gained space at the lake, but lost some elsewhere.
The 24th edition of Festi’neuch will take place from June 12 to 15, 2025. “We will have to continue to adapt with the continuation of the redevelopment work at Jeunes-Rives, but we are not going to reduce our surface area”, concluded Antonin Rousseau .
>> Watch again at 7:30 p.m. on the 2024 edition of Festi’Neuch:
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