Francofolies: Julien Clerc, Aya Nakamura, Miki and 150,000 festival-goers put to the test of the heat

Heat on the Francos. Hot headliners, including Orelsan, Miki, L2B and Aya Nakamura, arrive in La Rochelle on Friday for a 42^e edition of the festival in a context of extreme heat.

The approximately 150,000 festival-goers expected throughout these five days of concerts will be sure to check the weather forecast. And for good reason: the start of the summer festival season was disrupted by weather conditions, with total or partial cancellations due to heat waves (Solidays) or violent storms (Garorock, Retro C Trop).

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Charente-Maritime is experiencing a new heatwave, which has affected a large part of the territory since Monday. However, no major changes are on the agenda for the organizers, who remain in contact with the local authorities. In addition to misters, “there is the new Désoiffeurs system, people who will walk around with insulated bags to distribute water at will”specified on RCF Thierry Tougeron, deputy for Culture of the city.

From Gims to Julien Clerc

On the stage side, the temperature will certainly rise, with stars used to moving the public like Gims and his intergenerational hits or Orelsan, in full tour since the release at the end of 2025 of The Flight Forward.

The Saturday program promises to be very rap with an effective lineup: La Mano 1.9, Jok’Air, L2B then Niska on the large Foulquier stage, an esplanade located at the foot of the Vieux Port towers and the beating heart of the festival. “We could have done the same evening three times because there was so much demand, it was sold out very quickly”confides Emilie Yakich, co-director of the festival alongside Dimitri Gavenc.

Eclectic by nature, the festival remains flexible on its bases, capable of oscillating between varied universes: Aya Nakamura, Julien Clerc, Mika, the group Feu! Chatterton, but also the rising star Ino Casablanca or the drummer Anne Paceo.

This year, its programming counts “almost 40% female artists”a representation that is still insufficient but which places the festival among the good students. “Miki, Helena, these are emerging artists who have their place at the Francos”estime Emilie Yakich. “But I aspire to a future where parity is so much there that we no longer have to seek to promote these models. » In the meantime, the main stage will welcome Monday, in addition to the interpreter of DjadjaHelena, Louane and Marguerite, popular profiles that are a hit.

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Step aside and emerging artists

But the Francofolies would not be unique without the relaxed atmosphere that reigns there. Professionals from the sector meet there to celebrate summer. Other musicians continue the evening with “improv” sessions and the crowd of spectators wanders from one place to another, in a city that lives to the rhythm of music.

Artists, like Yael Naim, will offer, in addition to their usual concert, more intimate meetings during the “Morning Folies”. And others will take part in the game of “Folles Rencontres”, between literary debates and sung ballads where Liane Foly, Emily Loizeau and even the lawyer and author Camille Kouchner will gravitate (The Big Family). “We don’t want to lose that! The Francofolies are an inspiring setting with its history, artists can stay for several days, we like to invite them to other formats”rejoices Emilie Yakich. Like these side steps, the festival continues to invite emerging artists.