Shy'm, Ophélie Winter, Boney M... everything you need to know about La Kermesse Festival which will be held this summer
It was born in the 1990s: perhaps that's why the Toulon DJ and producer known as Le Pedre, Pierre Abatte, is promoting La Kermesse Festival. A major event centered around the music of the 1990s and 2000s, which was born in Nice in 2022. Since 2023, La Kermesse Festival has also been held in La Seyne-sur-Mer. And even Toulouse.
The reason for the success? " Nostalgia, surely ," confides Pierre Abatte. "Nostalgia for those years, for those concerts. With the Kermesse, we see again the artists we had posters of on the walls of our room when we were younger." And of course, the audience for La Kermesse is intergenerational. "For us, it's very pleasant to produce, we get a good vibe from the families..."
Zaho and Ophélie WinterOn the stage side, "we try to renew ourselves" and above all, 30% of the program is chosen by the public themselves by responding to a satisfaction survey at the end of each event. Among the program, we therefore find "loyal" like L5, Jessy Matador, Helmut Fritz or even Tribal King and Fatal Bazooka who were already on the bill in 2022. "Musically, the Fatal Bazooka project is brilliant, and seeing Michaël Youn on stage is exceptional!" assures Pierre Abatte, admiringly.
But the lineup is enriched with some real gems: after Alizée last year, we knew that the production had managed to reach Zaho, famous for her song C'est chelou. The Algerian-Canadian singer will perform in Nice on July 6 and in La Seyne on August 3.
Another big name: Ophélie Winter, it's announced! The star of the mid-1990s with her God gave me faith (just writing it puts the chorus in our heads! You have it now too, we bet...) was no longer performing "but we managed to convince her thanks to the images, the media coverage of the Festival," confides Pierre Abatte. And when you know that some 20,000 people will sing along to the choruses of your greatest hits, it helps!
Gilbert Montagné and Boney MAn icon of the 2000s, Shy'm is also joining the scene this summer. The artist, who has established her style, influenced by pop, R&B, and French variety, will perform her finest songs on July 5th in Nice and on August 2nd in La Seyne, where she will also be reunited with the artist with whom she became known to the general public, K. Maro.
Even more popular and mainstream, Gilbert Montagné will be setting the stage alight in Nice and La Seyne. Live, no less (read elsewhere). Finally, we go back a little further in time to applaud and dance with the kings of disco and pop from the 1970s/1980s: Boney M. Everyone's humming Daddy Cool or Ma Baker, right? We'll also be seeing Kenza Farah ( My angel ), Nuttea… In a different register, the good humor of Francky Vincent or even the nonchalance embodied with Doc Gyneco.
Live artistsBig news this year: some artists are replacing the soundtrack with real music performed live on stage. Not nothing! We'll enjoy immersing ourselves with musicians in the variety of Gilbert Montagné, the hip-hop reggae of Neg Marrons (August 1st in La Seyne), the pop of Shy'm, the dance pop of Inna... Tom Frager, Pep's and Keen'V, and Andrick Airways and Pep's will also be performing live.
The Kermesse Festival will be held on July 4, 5, and 6 in Nice, at the Théâtre de Verdure. On August 1, 2, and 3 in La Seyne-sur-Mer, at Parc de La Navale. From 4 p.m. to midnight. Ticket prices: from $32.99 to $54.99 on the day of the concert… If there are still tickets available. Info: lakermesse.fr
Between Nice and La Seyne, the event has forged its own identity. " In Nice, we have a more intimate event with only 3,000 spectators per evening," comments Pierre Abatte, organizer of La Kermesse. "A concert format where the artist is never more than 20 meters away from you and where you can catch the artist's eye." A formula that some festival-goers prefer to the " wow" effect of the giant concert. For that, head to La Seyne where this summer, festival-goers are expected to reach a record 60,000. " Last year, we were limited in capacity due to the Olympic Games and the security forces mobilized for it. This year, we're going up to 20,000 spectators per evening." If the event is in the genes of vacationers who come to spend a week in the area, it's above all the location, Le Parc de La Navale, that makes all the difference.
A food court in La Seyne
Any new features? Yes, but especially on the Var side, where the stage is being enhanced with two giant screens "so that people who are a little far away or who don't necessarily want to be surrounded by large crowds can attend the concert, no matter where they are." And still plenty of special effects, like fireworks. As for the food, a food court will offer around twenty culinary options for all diets. The bars will be equipped with screens and flashing lights to indicate their availability and the absence of queues. (Remember that alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health and should be consumed in moderation.)
After at the Joa Casino and the Naho Club
After midnight, those who wish can enjoy the after-party at the Joa Casino with two scheduled artists (compared to one until now). A real success for this already sold-out event, which only exists in La Seyne. So as not to disappoint anyone, we're taking the same two artists who will be performing in La Garde right after, at Naho. For those who would like to share this moment, hurry: "we're already at 70% reservations!"
After with Faf Larage and Makassy on August 1st, Sinik and Danzel on the 2nd and Tragédie and Medhy Custos on the 3rd. Prices: 20 euros, 15 euros with a ticket.
Nice Matin
