On the same weekend as most British festival goers will take to the grubby fields of Reading and Leeds Festival for filthy carnage, Rock En Seine will be taking place just outside Paris in the Domaine National de Saint Cloud Park for a more civilised feel. One of France’s biggest and most loved festivals it’s now an infamous name amongst the European festival scene. Since its beginnings in 2003, Rock En Seine has continued to deliver line ups filled with the best artists from all over the globe. This year’s line up is no different, with Brit rockers Kasabian headlining the Friday, The Libertines heading up the Saturday and electro duo, The Chemical Brothers closing the bill on the Sunday, the festival is yet to again set to showcase a great and diverse collective of artists.
Hailing from the small Welsh town of Llanduo, Catfish and The Bottlemen have been making serious waves in the UK and they will take to the festival to surely provide crowds with one of the most energetic sets of the weekend. With singles that are already new day indie anthems, the band are on the rise and aren’t to be missed. As are Burn FM favourites Wolf Alice, who also play day one of the festival. No doubt playing a vivacious set dipping in and out of past EPs as well as their new, fiery debut album ‘My Love Is Cool’ which took a number 2 spot in the UK chart. Quickly shooting up in the industry and yet to put a foot wrong, it’s best to catch them whilst you still can.
Other highlights from Friday are sure to come from fellow Brits Kate Tempest and FFS (Franz Ferdinand and Sparks), as well as American alt hip hop artist, Son Lux and folk musician, Rodrigo Y Gabriela.
Just a year after headlining Glastonbury, Kasabian are at the top of their game and have proven themselves to be worthy headliners. With a back catalogue of laddish, rock anthems, Kasabian’s set will not be short of sing-alongs.
Saturday’s line up is equally brimming with talent, as it will see Ben Howard bringing a chilled atmosphere with hits such as ‘Only Love’, ‘Keep Your Head Up’ and ‘I Forgot Where We Were’, as well as highlights from Marina and The Diamonds and newcomers Mini Mansions. Another band with another new album, The Maccabees will be playing a set filled with both new and old material, after releasing this year’s ‘Marks to Prove It’, their first release since 2012’s ‘Given to the Wild’. Their blend of delicate vocals and distorted guitar riffs makes their sound perfect for the festival setting. this year’s title of BBC’s ‘Sound of 2015’ under their belts, Years and Years are another new band that are on the rise, alongside Wolf Alice and Catfish and The Bottlemen they’ll be representing the best of Britain’s new music, playing their electro-pop singles such as ‘King’ and ‘Desire’. Oxford based quartet, Glass Animals are making their Rock En Seine debut and their experimental indie pop will be the hip-swaying, head-bobbing, woozy moment of the weekend.
The day after headlining Leeds’ festival and the day before heading up Reading’s line up, Rock En Seine will see The Libertines fit in their first show in Paris for a long time. At the start of an eagerly anticipated new chapter in their careers, The Libertines are deemed one of Britain’s most iconic rock bands and they will be setting out to live up to the label.
Having released his long-awaited debut album ‘In Colour’ earlier this year, Jamie XX may be clashing with The Libertines, but undoubtedly it will be both a unique sounding and visual performance that will divide the festival goers.
Sunday’s bill is the best of the weekend. With Hot Chip and Jungle playing and The Chemical Brothers headlining it is no doubt going to be the stand out, party day of the weekend. Aussie pals Pond and Tame Impala both take to the festival, the former playing their space-rock from across all three of their albums, including newest record ‘Man It Feels Like Space Again.’ Having released their third album ‘Currents’ Tame Impala will be debuting their new material for the first time in France. Their floating psychedelia perfectly suits festival settings, so expect large crowds and anything from arm waving to full moshing (you can never quite tell with their fans).
Since winning 2012’s Mercury Prize, Alt-J have continued to grow, despite the departure of their bassist. A number 1 record in the way of their second album ‘This Is All Yours’ and their biggest arena tours to date, the Leeds-born band have shown their worthiness of playing near the tops of bills on the best European events. Sunday will also see critically acclaimed, hip-hop duo Run the Jewels play, as well as American punk rockers, Parquet Courts and My Morning Jacket.
The Chemical Brothers are no doubt going to be one, if not the festival’s main highlight. Having released anthem after anthem and with a new album due for release their set is undoubtedly going to be one of the most exciting and explosive sets of the weekend making them the ultimate headliners to close this year’s festival.
With new and old artists, and both new and old material within a stunning setting the festival is shaping up to be one memorable weekend.
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