Here we are, another year has passed, and the lead melting in the wing continues to consume us a little more each day since the announcement of the wave of legendary bands present at Hellfest yet again from June 21 to 23. No less than 156 bands spread across 6 stages will set the Clisson earth ablaze for three days with raging riffs and telluric sound waves. Practical information for newcomers: Clisson is a charming medieval town located in the Loire-Atlantique department, not far from Nantes.
Now that the scene is set, let the festivities begin, with this year’s program featuring: the legendary KISS, who need no introduction, but also Def Leppard, a cult band from the ’80s that made a significant mark with the highly popular musical style of that decade, the very delightful Hard FM, a surprising mix of unifying choruses and sweet verses, guaranteed nostalgia. Can you believe it, 17 years since they last set foot on French soil? Also attending this celebration: the Swedes from Europe for a Final Countdown sure to give many chills, as well as Whitesnake and ZZ TOP. Fans of heavier metal won’t be left out, as Gojira will lead as a perfect ambassador of the style, with an army of bands determined to blaze a territory already in favor of their cause. Noteworthy is the presence of: Stone Sour, Down, Korn, Lordi (resounding winner of the 2006 Eurovision edition), and Neurosis as a headliner, if you please (a rarity on our lands). My friends, you understand, another rendezvous with legend awaits. So, don’t shy away from your pleasure and come to indulge in the best “Big Sound” alongside hundreds of thousands of potential friends. To convince you further, let us look back with Yoann, co-organizer of the event, on what makes the magic of the Fest. Hellfest, Here we Go (Again).
1) Yet another Hellfest that promises to be memorable, would it be possible to look back a bit on the results of the previous edition? Both in terms of numbers and emotionally, what were the significant highlights of this Hellfest 2012?
2012 turned out to be a generally satisfying year with quite a few positives but also some difficulties. What we remember, aside from mixed weather that forced us to plan last-minute site adjustments, is that the audience was present at this new site, which functioned very well in terms of flow. In fact, we saw an audience increase of nearly 40%, and the site, along with its decoration, seemed to please everyone as we received many praises from the audience and artists… In numbers, that’s 115,000 festival-goers, 160 bands on 6 stages, 2,000 volunteers, and 1,350 hectoliters of beer consumed over the weekend!
2) Now that the past has been discussed, what are the current major innovations for this new edition?
We’re not planning major changes this year, the biggest having been done with the site’s relocation in 2012… However, we are planning to convert one of the stages to an open-air one (the Warzone) and we will increase the capacity of the tent for the smallest stage (the Valley), which has also been a victim of its success! For the rest, it’s improvements like a single central hub for food services, more toilets, or more anecdotal site adjustments…
4) Kiss signs on for a second Hellfest, firstly: how did the negotiations go? And secondly: what impact does the arrival of such a giant have on Hellfest?
Kiss was very satisfied with their visit three years ago, and the negotiations went much more smoothly with significantly less pressure from production because they now know what to expect and recognize our professionalism. Additionally, they know that few festivals in France can show interest in them due to their musical aesthetics that don’t align with the majority of festivals here… However, this year, we had to fight a bit more, as we weren’t the only ones interested in having them during this time. Their arrival requires some adjustments in terms of technical resources, but we are now prepared for such demands, so it doesn’t scare us.
5) As you might suspect, Nice-Premium is a southern media outlet, and as such, I would like to know if there is any interest in the future in focusing on artists from Nice and its surroundings? The metal scene there is becoming increasingly fertile, I find, offering a rich pool of very interesting bands, such as Darkenold (Black Metal), Darktribe (Heavy Speed), Lord Of Mushrooms (Prog Metal), or Bloffeld (Power Funk), which I think would be excellent representatives of the region for a future edition.
Questions about the programming are always delicate because there are talented bands not only in the South… And you will notice that even in the West, we have quality musical groups, yet we don’t program a plethora of Breton, Vendéen, or Pays de la Loire bands. We program between 10 and 15% national artists even though France holds quality bands. It’s just that the audience usually wants to see foreign bands. Everyone has their preferences, and acquaintances from different regions share the same stories as you, but in the end, beyond regional pride, everyone wants to see established foreign bands and potentially their local peers, but not groups from neighboring regions or the rest of the territory, otherwise confirmed ones like Gojira, Trepalium, Mass Hysteria, Loudblast, Gorod, Dagoba, etc. Hence, we mostly program established names and a few favorites or acquaintances (who wouldn’t?), but French bands don’t make up a significant part of the lineup, it’s true.
6) Once again, Hellfest demonstrates unparalleled eclecticism in its lineup; do you think this is the key to the success that makes the Fest an absolute reference year after year in terms of metal festivals made in Europe?
From my point of view, at least, it’s our strength and what has attached our audience to the festival. We try to cover a broad musical spectrum in terms of extreme music and have never forgotten our origins. So yes, nowadays, we program more popular bands, more classic rock, the roots of the music we defend, in a way, but nonetheless, we still program more death, black, stoner, hardcore, grind, etc., and we even allocate stages by style. Thus, it is what will always distinguish us from other festivals in our category because we unite audiences who love large gatherings and those who enjoy more confidential festivals, and unsurprisingly, these publics mix very well forming the Hellfest audience! An open-minded, supportive, festive but above all passionate audience. Even I sometimes struggle to realize that we’ve managed to create a gathering of 70 different nationalities of all generations from 7 to 77 years old, and it unfolds splendidly every year!
7) Let’s talk for two seconds about the unpleasant things: Aerosmith canceled, can you talk about this slight disappointment? Scheduling problem or exaggerated financial greed from Tyler’s band?
I’d say it’s a mix of the second answer and ego issues from Tyler’s band… In any case, it was quite a disappointment for us and other festivals that counted on them… Perhaps another year!
8) With legendary bands but also young wolves ready to battle it out, does Hellfest follow a logic of a multi-generational Festival? Sort of family-oriented?
That’s exactly it, we can now affirm that Hellfest is an intergenerational festival as I mentioned earlier, and what surprises me most is that often, the young wolves, as you say, are interested in the old legends. For example, I was very surprised to see so many young people watching and singing along to Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. The young respect the pioneers of Rock and Hard Rock more than one might think!! And seeing this blend of generations in front of these bands is an indescribable pleasure.
9) To stimulate the budding festival-goer or the fan filled with love for their group a little more, do you already know the bands that will be present for signing sessions?
Unfortunately not, not at the moment! But stay tuned on [www.hellfest.fr->1), and we will announce the signing session bands at the end of May/beginning of June…
10) Finally, the ritual question: What innovations for the next edition? New legendary bands? A springboard? A renegotiation with Aerosmith? Thank you for everything, in any case, and long live Hellfest!!!
For now, we are focused on the 2013 edition, which is now very close, but remember that we love to surprise, and 2014 will be a calmer year after two editions on this new site, so we will have more availability to prepare some friendly new stuff for you. In the meantime, I already invite you to Clisson on June 21 for a new surge of decibels!!
Now you know a bit more about what makes the spice of this unique event in Europe, which makes hearts sway, big beards kiss, rock veterans cry, and the younger ones enthusiastic. This type of event is so rare and essential that it must be attended in mass to acclaim these bands, which unfortunately don’t receive much media coverage, absent from both FM and terrestrial waves, it is only through live performances that they can exist and make you exalt. The sermon is preached, brothers, set your missals according to the Gods of Rock’s agenda, beginning of the celebration on Friday, June 21, followed by great libation until Sunday, June 23, in the evening. A perfect communion in the background of Rock and fraternity is not to be missed. Go in peace, and as AC/DC would say: “It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock’n’roll!”
