[Day 3] Rock en Seine captivates festival-goers for this last day

Rock en Seine, 3 days of festival, a rich and eclectic program, thousands of festival-goers for this fifteenth edition.

Under a blazing sun, Deluxe's six friends ignited as usual an overheated audience. Moustached or not, you had to be in front of the Grande Scène to applaud these sparkling Aix residents who have been stirring the France for almost ten years. Discovered by Chinese Man, the second album hits the mark and Deluxe did not skimp on the means: guitars, percus and brass are in the game!

A true phenomenon, Belgian rapper Romeo Elvis has now teamed up with Le Motel for a perfect combination that injects folk samples with sharp lyrics from Brussels. The audience posted en masse on the small stage of the Bosquet takes all the phrases of Romeo Elvis and applauds to break everything, especially during the first notes of Drôle de question, folk ballad with lascivious lyrics. A concert that ends in Brussels arrives, which refers to the crew formed with Caballero that we also saw on the Firestone stage on Friday.

Since 2012, Mac Demarco has created an enchanting folk universe, balanced by its original and funny side, which can be found on the Grande Scène in the late afternoon. Accompanied by his friends arranged in rows to the left of the stage, Mac Demarco is at home, both by the amused smiles he throws at his comrades, and by his way of occupying the space dedicated to him. Between folk ballads and romantic flights, the Canadian hits the nail on the head in what he does best: being comfortable. From the tracks of his previous album Another One to the latest This Old Dog, Mac Demarco passes us the complete cassette of his discography, for a conquered audience.

At the same time on the stage of the Industry, Denzel Curry proves himself in front of a raging crowd. Originally from Florida, the young rapper encompasses his favorite themes with a meticulous set: witness of violence in the United States, Denzel Curry recounts with scathing sentences a dark repertoire that places him at 22 years old as a great hope of the rap scene.

To end the afternoon, we go to rediscover the young George Ezra on the Cascade Stage. For two years, the latter had been discreet but his presence in many festivals and the release of a new title were a good omen.

When he enters the stage, his classic and sober jeans/t-shirt outfit contrasts with his very tropical background image. True to himself, the English singer played a dozen pieces accompanied by his many musicians. Between excerpts from the first opus and exclusives not yet released, George Ezra has used his pretty voice to charm festival-goers who enjoy dancing without being hugely excited. Only Cassy'O opening, the last Don't Matter Now and of course the well-known Budapest (at the end, obviously) woke up the audience somewhat asleep by the slower songs. 

Anyway, George Ezra ensures in his field and makes you want to wait for his second album by next year.

Already cult, The Lemon Twigs was well awaited for this 2017 edition. Phenomenon for almost a year, the two brothers, aged 17 and 19, are definitely on the list of eminent rock duos. Compiling a flawless album that plunges us back into the pop universe of the last century, we find with The Lemon Twigs worked melodies, especially due to their musical virtuosity. Juggling with the instruments, the two brothers end the concert with fanfare, microphones on the ground, guitar riffs galore and tapered choruses. A flawless for the birth of a group to follow.

From 9 pm, it's time for electro with the arrival of Rone, already considered one of the big names in French electro. Since his sold-out performance at the Philharmonie de Paris last January, the French producer has traced his path, over the tracks (Parade, Bye Bye Macadam), much applauded during his set and known to an attentive audience.

True headliner of the entire festival, the English of The XX were terribly awaited by those present this Sunday evening.

In the middle of giant mirrors, the London band has invested the Main Stage on a remixed version of the hit Intro. The result was an extremely effective and successful introduction. Then followed a mix of songs from their three albums, although Coexist was quite left out in this concert fifteen minutes shorter than expected. Let's forgive him quickly, in about 1h05, the trio managed to convey a whole bunch of emotions. We couldn't help but dance with all our might to the most recent On Hold, Dangerous and Loud Places (by Jamie) while sadness and nostalgia took hold of us during the quieter Infinity, Fiction and Brave For You. Before starting Solo Performance , Romy dedicated this song to those who are struggling to be who they really are. A beautiful moment.

Thanks to this closing concert, we see the love of The XX for its audience but also of the audience for The XX. Shy but sincere thanks at the end of each song prove their honesty and generate a whirlwind of applause and shouts. One of them lasted a long time until Romy and Oliver were moved to tears. After about fifteen songs, the band ends the concert with the already magnificent Angels in a sublimated version.

Seeing The XX in concert is undeniably an experience to live.

At the end of this fifteenth edition, 110,000 festival-goers walked the grass of the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud for 3 days of concerts, and which Saturday was sold out. A superb harvest, fifteen years after the first edition which had already seen PJ Harvey come, and whose concert on Saturday was part of the most beautiful pages of the festival. See you in 2018…