Festival Musilac

Festival Musilac is a major French music festival held annually in July in Aix-les-Bains on the shores of Lac du Bourget. Founded in 2004, it has grown into one of the premier summer music events in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, attracting tens of thousands of spectators. The festival is renowned for its eclectic programming, blending international rock and pop headliners with emerging French and European acts across multiple stages.

History

The festival was conceived in the early 2000s by local organizers aiming to create a significant cultural event in Savoie. Its first edition in 2004, held at the Esplanade du Lac in Aix-les-Bains, featured a modest lineup but established its commitment to quality programming. Inspired by the success of other European festivals like Eurockéennes and Les Vieilles Charrues, Musilac quickly expanded its scope. A pivotal moment came in 2011 when the event moved to its current, larger site at the Parc des Sports to accommodate growing audiences, solidifying its reputation within the French festival circuit alongside events like Hellfest and Solidays.

Programming and artists

Musilac's programming is characterized by a diverse mix of established international stars and cutting-edge talent. The main stage has hosted legendary acts such as The Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, and Lenny Kravitz, while also providing a platform for major French artists like Indochine, -M-, and Christine and the Queens. The festival's secondary stages, including the Rocktail Club and La Ruche, focus on emerging genres, having introduced audiences to acts like Foals, Alt-J, and L'Impératrice. This blend ensures a program that spans rock, indie rock, electronic music, and hip-hop, appealing to a broad demographic.

Location and venue

The festival takes place at the Parc des Sports in Aix-les-Bains, a scenic town in the French Alps near the border with Switzerland and Italy. The site offers a stunning natural backdrop against Lac du Bourget and the Chaîne de l'Épine mountains, enhancing the concert experience. The venue is meticulously organized with multiple stages, extensive food and beverage villages featuring local Savoie products, and dedicated areas for relaxation. Excellent transport links, including connections to Chambéry Airport and the SNCF station in Aix-les-Bains, facilitate access for the large influx of visitors each July.

Editions and attendance

Since its inaugural edition, Musilac has seen consistent growth in both scale and attendance. Early editions attracted a few thousand spectators, but by the late 2000s, the festival regularly drew crowds exceeding 30,000 per day. Notable editions include the 2013 event, which featured Phoenix and The Smashing Pumpkins, and the 2018 edition headlined by Depeche Mode and The Kooks. The festival typically sells out its approximately 35,000 daily capacity, with total attendance over its multi-day run often surpassing 100,000, placing it among the top festivals in France by audience size, comparable to Festival de Nîmes and Main Square Festival.

Organization and impact

The festival is organized by Musilac SAS, a company that works in close partnership with the municipality of Aix-les-Bains and the Savoie departmental council. It generates significant economic impact for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, boosting tourism in Aix-les-Bains and surrounding areas like Chambéry and Annecy. Beyond economics, Musilac has a strong commitment to sustainability, implementing initiatives for waste reduction and promoting public transport use. Its cultural influence is substantial, having been awarded the Festival! Le Printemps des Festivals label and contributing to the vibrant summer festival landscape that includes Glastonbury and Roskilde Festival.

Category:Music festivals in France Category:Recurring events established in 2004 Category:Aix-les-Bains