Here it is!!! The stage is set and through a loudspeaker, if you please. For the 2009 vintage, we have no less than 108 groups from all around the world, from Marilyn Manson to Europe, via the legendary Motley Crue, who are rare on the continent. This year, Hellfest is expected to welcome close to 60,000 attendees, which guarantees a truly epic celebration. Additionally, this unique festival in France benefits from a privileged exposure, being located amidst vineyards. It’s worth noting that wine can quickly become a viable alternative to the liters of beer typically consumed at such gatherings. To get a clearer picture amidst all this rock, let’s dive into the heart of the beast with “Yoann“, co-organizer of this now essential rendezvous. Hellfest… “On the rock again!!!”
### The Genesis
Since when does Hellfest exist?
The festival was created in 2006 when Ben and I found ourselves unemployed after a previous festival experience had an unfortunate end… We had made the mistake of selling a concept we had created to unscrupulous promoters. After that, we swore not to let go of the reins of what would be our new festival, Hellfest. Ben and I thus divided the tasks and started this adventure with just the two of us, benefiting from some months of unemployment still ahead of us, and we found a site and a town hall ready to host the largest French metal music festival… It wasn’t easy to convince all the partners and suppliers since we were starting almost from scratch, but today, we are salaried, have hired 5 additional people, and Hellfest is the biggest event in the region in terms of modern music. Probably the most international of French festivals and of course, the number one Hard Rock, Metal, and Hardcore event in France.
How do you manage to gather so many prestigious artists?
With Motley Crue at the forefront…
Benjamin, who handles the programming, simply beefed up an address book starting from his early days in 2003, and today, we have earned the respect of the most important French and foreign agents and promoters. Then, it’s just a matter of negotiations, finding the best possible arrangements to convince artists to come, but most of the time it boils down to a simple question of price. There’s also a matter of will; sometimes we need to persuade artists that their presence is required, since we are the only French festival of this scale, and we strive to offer the best possible lineup to the festival-goers. We also sometimes provoke reunions of cult bands, or bring legendary artists who have never set foot in Europe, to distinguish ourselves from other European festivals, but also purely out of passion.
### The Operations
On average, how many people does Hellfest welcome each year? What is your attendance record so far?
Our attendance record was reached last year with about 45,000 festival-goers over the 3 days, and this year we should reach 60,000, given the rate at which presales are going… we even foresee a sold-out festival before the doors open! This is far from the barely 20,000 people reached in 2006 during the first edition.
What is the festival’s impact on the region? Economic fallout?
It is very significant, that’s for sure. The festival has a budget of several million euros and we recruit locally, we accommodate several hundred people per night, we contract and supply with companies from the region, etc. Then, the festival-goers have significant purchasing power, and they therefore reserve all the accommodations within a 50 km radius, they consume in the territory in the supermarkets, but also in restaurants, bars, etc… The vintners sell about 3000 bottles of Hellfest vintage each year, not to mention the thousands of liters that are sold at the festival’s wine bar. And of course, the international communication of the festival also benefits the territory… We have about 35% of foreigners from 50 different nationalities, some of whom are generally here for a few days of vacation, and others return after the festival to fully enjoy the exceptional setting of Clisson! So yes, the impact is significant, and local elected officials are starting to feel it and finally bring their support.
What are the reactions of the locals towards the festival?
Initially, the fear of the unknown and the images conveyed by mainstream media spread major fears among Clisson residents… but it only took one edition to convince them that we had the best audience. Our festival-goers are respectful, polite, and they consume, so what more could you ask for. No incidents have been reported at the festival, nor in the surrounding area over the last three years. We even received congratulations from the gendarmes and the prefecture both for the organization and for the behavior of the festival-goers. We now have the vast majority of the population with us, even co-opting the festival. More and more associations ask to participate in the event, apart from a few hardcore Catholics who seek to discredit us with arguments that do not hold up (yes, obscurantism still has followers!), we really feel accepted.
What makes Hellfest special?
Already the musical aesthetic, since we are the only ones to offer such a festival in France. Then the number (108 this year) and variety of groups, which makes it one of the biggest European festivals. The international aspect of the festival, with the 50 nationalities of attendees and more than 85% of foreign bands. The fact to also offer something other than music over these three days. For instance, this year, there will be a huge market for metal records and clothes, wrestling, motorcycles, burlesque, strippers, screenings, writers signing books, tattoo artists and piercers, a signing area, and more… And as I mentioned earlier, the quality of our festival-goers is really exceptional and gives a unique atmosphere to the festival… All the professionals I’ve met have had the same feedback, so, in this matter, there is unanimous agreement!
What will be the major new features of the 2009 edition?
The fourth stage under a marquee, which brings us from 87 to 108 groups, and then the Electric Circus marquee with its many attractions. Otherwise, we try to make the festival more complete and enjoyable every year, with this year a real musical program at the Metal Corner marquee on the campsite, or at the aperitif, in the center of Clisson which will welcome exhibitions, Metal bands, and plenty of artists of all kinds… But what we are most proud of in terms of novelty, is our headliners Motley Crue and Manowar who we are unlikely to see again in France, I believe…
### The Future
In the future, will you extend Hellfest as a concept: production company, music label, etc.?
We already have an online store where we sell a whole range of Hellfest products, as well as other metal band products. We also organize many Club Shows throughout the year, most often in Nantes, and in this context, we are also organizing the arrival of Down in Toulouse on July 12th. But setting up a label, you have to be suicidal in these times… We are already focusing on the festival, then for the years to come we can imagine many things, there’s no shortage of ideas, but everything in its own time…
To conclude, with what will become the essential rendezvous for youth thirsting for the absolute as much as the “absolute.” I can only advise you to come in numbers to this unique rendezvous and taste the intoxication of the Hellfest experience. With beer-soaked hair and rock in your heart, you will experience three days of communion against the backdrop of a grand metal mass, lost among the vineyards, it can’t be refused, I believe. They need you more than ever to keep this very atypical festival alive, so you know what you have to do; a tent, a sleeping bag, a few aspirins for the tough mornings, you are all set for the Hellfest experience… “The place to be”… Rock!!! Of course…
More information:
[www.hellfest.fr](https://www.hellfest.fr)
[www.myspace.com/hellfestopenai](https://www.myspace.com/hellfestopenai)
