The Francofolies festival in La Rochelle is setting the tone for its 40th edition. First evening on the main stage and to blow out the candles, Eddy De Pretto, Sting, Etienne Daho, the list is long until this Sunday, July 14 and the event concert by Jean-Michel Jarre in the evening.
“I am happy to be in La Rochelle.” A warm entrance for Etienne Daho. And La Rochelle returns the favor. In the crowd, the audience is in their fifties, those lulled by the songs in the 80s and 90s.
Very quickly, Etienne Daho tells us who he owes being here, on stage tonight. Elie and Jacno who encouraged him, and all those wonderful encounters, Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, and Françoise Hardy who passed away recently. A whole series of encouragements from artists who pushed him.
Etienne Daho and his musicians on the Francofolies stage Wednesday July 10, 2024. • © BARTHELEMY BALLANGER – Iceboxer/Francetelevisions
And precisely, the whole register of these beautiful years is there. Falling for France, Epaule Tatto, Duel in the sun which ignites the crowd, or even Saudade. La Notte, la Notte, a great success among festival-goers. They know them by heart. Phones in hand, Etienne Daho certainly filled up the networks this Wednesday evening from the big stage and in front of 12,000 people.
“He did not changed” said a woman in the crowd with a big smile. No, Daho hasn’t changed. He still warmly thanks his audience, greets and pays tribute to his musicians. Yes, he is happy to be here as he said at the outset.
Eddy De Pretto and the crowd at the Francofolies. • © Thibaud Moritz / AFP
Happiness at Daho, lovea lot of love for De Pretto. From the outset, he offers him “an hour where we will try to put the hassles and worries aside, how does that sound?“ Answer unanimous from the public”Ok, then here we go” here we go.
Eddy De Pretto fills the entire stage with his presence. • © AntoninSCHVAN Iceboxer/Francetelevisions
Love, the famous love and tenderness, which he proclaims in front of the crowd, feelings, the fan of the French language unfolds his texts. With his look identical to the first day as he points out on stage and his grand gestures, he signs the scene with his presence. And especially his smile addressed to everyone.
On stage, Eddy De Pretto who wants to make the 12,000 spectators of this first evening of the 2024 Francofolies Festival forget their worries. • © THIBAUD MORITZ / AFP
VIDEO. A look back at the opening night with Florent Loiseau and Christelle Nicolas
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Eddy de Pretto returns to the Francos, Charlotte Cardin brilliant • ©France Télévisions
Sting started very strong. Right from the beginning, “Message in a bottle” immediately took the crowd with him with the songs of his group Police. Then “English man in New-York”, “Roxane” but it was not over. A guitar solo and in the audience, the festival-goers have goosebumps.
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Sting signs the most beautiful songs of Police and sets the stage and the audience alight. • ©Paul Grelier – France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Eternal energy on stage for the British singer who named this exceptional concert “My songs”. He begins the festival tour.
Sting on stage for the 40th edition of the Francofolies. • © THIBAUD MORITZ / AFP
Sting, on stage, eagerly awaited to close this first evening of the Franofolies • © BARTHELEMY BALLANGER Iceboxer/Francetelevisions
A festival “iconic”, It’s Charlotte Cardin, 29, who says it. A beautiful tribute from a singer with Quebec accents on stage in La Rochelle, a nod to history for the 40th anniversary of the Francofolies. The artist opened the ball for this opening night on the big Jean-Louis Foulquier stage.
Charlotte Cardin opens the ball • © THIBAUD MORITZ / AFP
The Canadian singer on the Jean-Louis Foulquier grand stage for the opening night of the Francofolies, “an iconic festival” for the artist. • © BARTHELEMY BALLANGER Iceboxer/Francetelevisions
So many incredible artists have played here in the last 40 years that it’s an honor to be here for opening night.
Charlotte Cardin
A singer
The Francos one of the “highlights” of summer, assures Charlotte Cardin. We readily believe her.
VIDEO. Charlotte Cardin at the Francofolies. Interview: Isabel Hirsch and Pascal Simon
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The Quebec singer at the Francofolies was eager to come. • ©France Télévisions
The Francofolies festival is being held until Sunday, July 14, the program is here.
