Culture Bar-Bars : the pubs pay for their shows

The festival was replaced last year by "States General of the right to party in the territories" because of the health crisis. What are the consequences?

"The idea was to propose something relevant to compensate for the closure of cultural venues. From November 23 to 29, 2020, 51 debates were led by 240 speakers from more than 102 structures severely impacted by government decisions related to the health crisis. It was a real success in terms of attendance, since we stopped counting at more than 17,000 views. This led to the creation of a white paper that was received by various local authorities and the Ministry. We also gave it to Johanna Rolland as mayor of Nantes and president of France Urbaine, in order to show the importance of territories to support and develop the right to party, to nightlife and to culture in the broadest sense. In Nantes, this has resulted in the implementation of anti-Covid cells or the reappropriation of public space with pedestrianization."

What is the state of mind for this fall's edition?

"Even if the situation remains complicated because it is full of doubts for the cultural and associative sector, the members are eager to find the positive energy of the festival. There will be 182 events in 50 cities in France, mostly in Nantes, which is the cradle of the festival, and in the metropolis in Bouguenais, Carquefou, La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Orvault, Rezé and Saint-Herblain.

What will be the highlights?

"The highlight is diversity! It's up to the inhabitants to make the event their own. The aesthetics are mostly rock and electro, but not only. This year, the local scene will be honored with confirmed or emerging artists like Lo'Jo or Akany. There will also be exhibitions, plays... For the festival-goers, it will also be the occasion to discover 25 new places like Little Atlantic Brewery, l'Arrosoir or Barberousse, which join this edition."