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| Eurockéennes | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eurockéennes |
| Location | Belfort, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Dates | early July |
| Genre | Rock, pop, electronic, hip hop, indie, world |
Eurockéennes is an annual music festival held at Lac du Malsaucy near Belfort in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. Established in 1989, it has hosted a wide range of international and French artists across rock, pop, electronic, hip hop, indie and world music. The festival is known for its outdoor lakeside setting and has featured performers from across Europe, North America, Africa and Latin America, attracting audiences, media and industry professionals.
The festival began in 1989 amid cultural initiatives connected to the city of Belfort and regional institutions such as the Conseil régional de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and the Ministry of Culture (France). Early editions featured artists associated with labels like Ninja Tune, Sub Pop, Virgin Records, EMI, Island Records and Polydor, and attracted acts comparable to The Cure, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop and Public Enemy. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s the lineup mixed established names such as U2, Radiohead, Nirvana, Oasis, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, R.E.M. and Beck with emerging artists from labels including Warp Records, XL Recordings and Domino Recording Company. The festival adapted to shifts in the music industry driven by companies like Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group and by the rise of streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Collaborations and special performances have involved entities like UNESCO, European Commission, SNCF, RATP Group and broadcasters such as France Inter and BBC Radio 1.
The site at Lac du Malsaucy lies within the commune of Niney, near Belfort and the Territoire de Belfort department, close to the borders with Alsace and Franche-Comté. The natural amphitheatre created by the lake and surrounding forest complements stages and infrastructure that reference large European festivals like Glastonbury Festival, Rock en Seine, Tomorrowland, Sziget Festival, Roskilde Festival and Primavera Sound. Access routes typically involve transport links including A36 autoroute, regional rail services by SNCF, and international connections via Eurostar and TGV to cities such as Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, Basel and Zurich.
The event is produced by a consortium of cultural organizations, municipal authorities, private promoters and sponsors including regional bodies such as Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Regional Council, municipal government of Belfort, media partners like France Télévisions and corporate sponsors comparable to Red Bull, Heineken International, Orange S.A., Carrefour, Decathlon and BNP Paribas. Programming and artist bookings have involved talent agencies and promoters such as Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents, WME, Booker/Promoter Group and independent agencies like Cordless Records and 3ème Œil. Event management draws on production companies experienced with festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Benicàssim Festival and Reading and Leeds Festivals.
Over decades the festival has programmed artists across genres represented by landmark acts such as The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Björk, The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Justice (band), M.I.A., Kraftwerk, Arctic Monkeys, Florence and the Machine, The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Stereolab, LCD Soundsystem, Major Lazer, Burial (musician), Fela Kuti, Manu Chao, Amadou & Mariam, Tinariwen, Buena Vista Social Club, Buju Banton, Bob Marley tribute projects, Sufjan Stevens, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Santigold, Hot Chip, Bon Iver, Stromae, Christine and the Queens, Khaled (musician), Salif Keita and Youssou N'Dour. Eclectic programming has included indie, post-punk, electronic, hip hop, reggae, world music and experimental projects associated with festivals like Pitchfork Music Festival and South by Southwest.
Attendance peaked in years comparable to high-capacity European festivals, drawing tens of thousands of patrons from urban centers such as Paris, Lille, Marseille, Nice and Strasbourg as well as international visitors from Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The festival generates local economic activity affecting hospitality firms like regional hotels, restaurants, tour operators and retailers, with economic studies sometimes compared to impacts measured at Eurockéennes-sized events like Isle of Wight Festival and Guitar Festival of Prague. Stakeholders include tourism offices, local chambers of commerce such as CCI Territoire de Belfort, and transport providers including SNCF and regional coach companies.
Site infrastructure includes multiple stages, production rigs supplied by companies akin to Clear Channel Outdoor, sound and lighting providers comparable to d&b audiotechnik and Martin Professional, temporary sanitation by specialist contractors, catering areas featuring local gastronomy from Bourgogne and partnerships with food vendors and beverage suppliers such as Danone and Pernod Ricard. On-site services often encompass first aid coordinated with SAMU, security provided by private firms, information points, accreditation zones for press and industry delegations including representatives from festivals like SXSW, Eurosonic Noorderslag and Reeperbahn Festival.
Like many large festivals, the event has faced disputes and incidents involving noise complaints from residents of Belfort, environmental concerns regarding the Lac du Malsaucy ecosystem and regulatory scrutiny from bodies such as the Prefecture of Territoire de Belfort and regional environmental agencies. Past controversies included debates over lineups featuring artists associated with political or social controversy similar to debates at Woodstock '99 and cancellations or scheduling changes due to strikes by transport unions including CFDT and CGT, weather-related disruptions comparable to incidents at Glastonbury Festival and public safety responses coordinated with Police Nationale and Gendarmerie Nationale.
Category:Music festivals in France