It’s a real relief for the end of this 28th edition of La Folle Journée. More than 68,000 spectators came to these five festival days in Nantes around the theme of Schubert. For a long time there was doubt about the possibility of doing this event with the health restrictions linked to Covid-19, but it is done.
The festival has managed to remain sympathetic in the eyes of part of its public. “It’s fabulous, the shows are magnificent. We feel the joy of the public, there is an emotion to be all together when the artists enter the stage, it’s very moving”, slips Hélène at the exit of a concert. Accompanied by a friend, this is the first time they have come to La Folle Journée and their experience was positive.
– Matthew Bonhoure
Lack of excitement
But this is not the case for everyone, even if many salute the prowess of organizing such an event in times of Covid-19, some remain a little unsatisfied. “It’s quite frustrating, launches Sophie, a regular at the Folle Journée. Usually it’s like a beehive, there’s excitement, music coming out of everywhere. This year it’s quiet and there’s no one there.” This woman in her fifties remembers all the past editions and the energy released, this year is difficult for her.
Flow management is what is most obvious. It is impossible for the organizers for the public of different concerts to meet, so you have to leave the festival site all the time, come back again. Marie does not really like this operation but she understands “that we don’t really have a choice if we want it to happen”.
More than 800 artists
A musician leaning on a barrier even confides that the atmosphere is “creepy” with so few people compared to the animation that is normally this place. “We are still happy to have been able to play, he said. But it’s compartmentalized, there’s no one, it’s calm. “