The first Banassac Blues festival ready to get festival-goers moving to rhythms from the southern United States

Le bureau de l’association France États-Unis Lozère est prêt. Midi Libre – Anaïs Da Silva

L’association France États-Unis Lozère organise, ce samedi 10 août 2024, le premier Banassac Blues Festival, place de l’Église à Banassac. Un événement qui se veut en circuit court.

It was more than 7,000 kilometers from Lozère that the idea for the new Banassac Blues festival, organized this Saturday, August 10, 2024, was born. “Every two years, with the France États-Unis Lozère association, we organize a trip to America, and we bring around ten Lozériens there, explains Patrick Sacleux, the president. At the beginning of the year, we went to the southern USA with music as our theme.” And who says music in the United States, says a lot of blues.

The blues, what is it ?

“In America, there are many musical styles such as jazz, country, folk and blues”, lists Patrick Sacleux. The festival is based on the latter. Blues is a musical, vocal and instrumental genre derived from the work songs of African-American populations undergoing racial segregation in the United States. Blues appeared in the southern United States during the 19th century. It is a style where the singer expresses his sadness, his loves and his desires.

“Intergenerational, cultural, inexpensive”

“It's a style of music that speaks to many people and to all generations”,rejoices the president of the organizing association. All locals and tourists are expected to spend this day in a good mood, in a friendly atmosphere and to travel to the United States while enjoying the musical offerings. “It's intergenerational, cultural and inexpensive”, describes Patrick Sacleux.

Admission to the festival is paid. Tickets are on pre-sale on helloasso.fr: 8 € adults, free for minors ; on site the same day, 10 € adults, free for minors. “All of this gives access to the entertainment and the five organized performances.” A bracelet will be given to festival-goers, allowing them to move around the festival as they please. “If it's too hot or they want to take a break at home, they can”, he smiles.

A musical and local event

From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Place de l'Église in Banassac will be livened up by several events. Blues bands will perform from noon to 9 p.m. On the program: Oties de secours, from La Canourgue and Saint-Laurent-d'Olt, at noon; Alter Echoes, from Saint-Germain-du-Teil, at 1 p.m.; Pure Jones, broadcast live from the United States, at 1:45 p.m.; Les Fulgurés, at 3 p.m. Jeff Toto Blues, at 5pm; Doc Lou and the Roosters, at 9pm to close the festival.

This festival will not only beat to the rhythm of music. A market of local producers and artisans is organized. “There will be a dozen stands with three painters in particular”, detail Patrick Sacleux.

Prices: place in advance on helloasso.fr, 8 € adult, free for minors ; on site the same day, 10 € adult, free for minors. Refreshments and catering on site I subscribe to read more