The Massilia Sound System 40th anniversary tour will end in style at the Estivales du Gub in Saint-Laurent-de-Carnols

Justin Vialle in the enchanting setting offered by the Gubernat family farm for these exceptional evenings. C. C. – Midi Libre

Massilia Sound System fête ses 40 années d’existence ! Ici à Bagnols-sur-Cèze, au Zion Garden en 2022, un concert mémorable. C. C. – Midi Libre

This will be the fifth edition of the event which has grown year after year. Justin Vialle, from the family farm in Gubernat, has struck hard again. See you Saturday July 27.

This week, the Gubernat farm, in Saint-Laurent-de-Carnols, begins its metamorphosis to put on its festive clothes. Saturday July 27 will be the fifth edition of Estivales du Gub, an event hosted by Justin Vialle in the heart of the family farm. "The first edition, my little brother played on a tractor cart in front of 200 people, there was no budget", remember -he. The second year, under health restrictions, DJ Bogdan played in front of 500 spectators. In 2022, with two evenings featuring stars from the 2000s, the event becomes a festival, and goes from a budget of a few thousand euros to more than 100,000. euro;. It was a "big success", explains the thirty-year-old who learned everything on the job! Last year, the Tryo concert was "a great chance". The second evening, with an electro tone "to try to reach another audience", was not a hit. With 500 paid entries that evening, "I’had difficulty recovering financially", confides- he.

"An intergenerational group"

This is why this year, there will only be one evening. But not the least! Massilia Sound System is closing its 40th anniversary tour! "It’s huge. It’s an intergenerational group that we listened to when we were young, that our parents listened to. As with Tryo, people will come with their families!" That’s all the ambition of the young man. "Family and festive artists", in an exceptional setting…, with the forest as a backdrop, "there is a lot of work done on the lights", not far from the grandfather's vegetable garden, the henhouse… "People also come for the place, for the show…"

In the first part and at the end of the evening, rising artists

It’s the Senegalese Lidiop, a rising reggae artist, who will be the opening act. And in closing, DJ Baba, a young 23-year-old DJ in the process of becoming a professional. He is none other than the brother of Justin Vialle. "It is now running everywhere. It explodes!"
If the Estivales du Gub allows the farm specializing in products based on ducks raised on site to become better known, the financial reality is difficult. Technology, for example, represents 30% of the budget."We have always been supported by a production company for contracts with artists. Since last year, a manager has managed the technique, the safety file…"

Thanks to local partners…

Justin Vialle develops a "Partners area" : "I sell visibility to local businesses that support an event local. In exchange, that same evening, they have access to a high-end service, a menu based on products from our farm", prepared this year by chefs Matthieu Hervé (château de Montcaud, first Michelin star in 2024) and Richard Durand (C’la vie à Orsan) who will be responsible for entertaining some 250 guests. "The event exists thanks to the partners." Ticketing does not allow financial balance. The event benefits from support from the Region thanks to the Sud de France label obtained by the farm. The capacity is 1900 spectators. Justin Vialle is committed to it: "We will always remain a festival on a human scale." Fifty volunteers will be there again this year mobilized.

Ticketing: lesestivalesdugub.com. Prices: 33 euros, 19 euros; (under 14), free under 10.

Local products, Agglomeration shuttle and carpooling

Justin Vialle pays a lot of attention to the environmental impact of the Estivales du Gub. Side food and drinks, local products are à honor, of course those from the family farm, and also those from producers in the region, "for high-end fast food . I want à work in short circuits". On the site, he installed dry toilets. As for transport, it encourages carpooling, there is also a partnership with a taxi. And this year, the Agglo du Gard rhodanien is adapting its shuttle service for festival-goers of the Estivales du Gub and for those of Goudargues, where La Goud’Vibe, street arts festival, takes place on July 26, 27 and 28.