Credit: Jazmin Campbell / Chronicle.lu
This year's edition of the Francofolies music festival in Esch-sur-Alzette took place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June 2024, drawing more than 40,000 music lovers.
The energetic three-day event unfolded in the heart of nature, in Parc Gaalgebierg, where festivalgoers could enjoy music performed on three different stages: the main stage, the garden stage and the new "Clairière" (clearing) stage.
The main stage welcomed a variety of artists, from French rappers Ninho and Tiakola on Friday to French singer-songwriter Zaho de Sagazan, French band Shaka Ponk and Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies on Saturday. The festival ended on Sunday night with a bang, thanks to a highly anticipated show by David Guetta. The superstar French DJ unveiled a spectacular stage design as he played some well-known hits to a sold-out crowd in Esch-sur-Alzette - ahead of other international tour dates.
The lineup (various days and stages) also included German techno marching band Meute and French pop and nu-disco band L'Impératrice, as well as Luxembourg acts Them Lights, Nosi and Culture the Kid, to name but a few.
Beyond Parc Gaalgebierg, the Kulturfabrik and the Escher Theater hosted events (starting already on Thursday 6 June 2024) such as a "100% metal" opening night and an intimate solo performance by French singer-songwriter Damien Saez.
"Our ambition was to offer the public an unforgettable experience: the smiles displayed by the festivalgoers, in tune with the artists, prove to us that the event lived up to expectations," commented Loic Clairet, Director of Francofolies Esch/Alzette, in a press release. He added that feedback received by the artists was "also excellent".
Visitors also had the opportunity to explore the new "Resto'folies" food village, as well as mini discos and karaoke booths, a small shop selling merchandise, a chill zone and photo booths. Among the stands set up in the "Village" was Pipapo, a project powered by the wider European project Criss Cross. As Alex Loverre explained to Chronicle.lu at Francofolies, the Pipapo team "go to festivals all around Luxembourg to promote a party culture which is safer, more inclusive and egalitarian". Pipapo sets up stands at events where the team can "exchange with people about safer use, safer sex and safer parties". The project also organises a "Safer Night" event "where we also want to battle against gender-based violence, discrimination and sexual harrassment in nightlife".
In terms of sustainability, the festival (awarded the Green Events label for the second consecutive year) featured 100% reusable containers for food and drinks and opted for local food trucks. The event was also "cashless", with festivalgoers using their topper up bracelets to make purchases. The organisers added that the festival was powered by low-consumption energy, and the sorting of waste was systematic, in particular thanks to a team of volunteers.
Tickets are already available (currently at a reduced price and in limited quantity) for the 2025 edition of the festival, which is set to take place from 5 to 8 June: http://francofolies.lu/billetterie.
