“An electric evening” for Les Têtes Raides
Christian Olivier, founding member of Les Têtes Raides, who has already been to Les Vieilles Charrues four times: “Our first visit to Les Charrues, in 2001, was still a magical evening. We went after Nougaro and before Noir Désir! We played our piece “Ginette”, in an unspeakable communion with the public. It wasn’t dark, but “Ginette” lights up even in broad daylight! It was an electric evening, in the audience and on set. Afterwards, we came back three times and what struck me the most was opening for Johnny. I’m an old fan: I saw him in concert at the Palais des Sports in 1976, I followed him on the road… When I found out he was going to Les Charrues, I called my producer right away. and Johnny’s producer. It was a dream to play in front of his audience, to meet him. We played one of his covers, a song called “See what I mean”. You have to be a fan to know. When the audience heard that, something happened. People understood that they had not come for nothing! This year, we return to Carhaix, ready to celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Ginette” for the 30th anniversary of the Vieilles Charrues! »
“The joy of being all together” for Feu! Chatterton
Arthur Teboul, singer of Fire! Chatterton, who came twice: “We went to Les Charrues for the first time in 2015. It was our debut and we were very impressed! We came back in 2021, in the very specific context of deconfinement. Our first concert after two years without touring! There was a special fervor, it’s an incredible memory. We knew how difficult it had been to maintain a festival, there was terrible weather: we had the impression of being in a warrior thing. For the public, it was a commitment to come, because there were still a lot of restrictions. This created a communion between us. There was the joy of being all together. I strolled through the crowd. We have linked an affectionate relationship with Jérôme Tréhorel, the director of Les Vieilles Charrues, because he told us that during the pandemic and the year of uncertainty about the feasibility of the festival, he had listened a lot to our title “New World”. and that it had motivated him to hold on. So we dedicated this song to him. We’re coming back this summer to play in this incredible festival, it’s a privilege! »
“The public of the Plows, a monster to tame” for Matmatah
Tristan “Stan” Nihouarn, from Matmatah, came five times: “I discovered the Plows as a spectator in 1997, in Carhaix. And I thought it would be nice to play there one day. The following year, we were programmed! I have vague memories of it, especially since no video of this concert exists. It was a long day: we had arrived early in the morning and we were playing at 2 o’clock. We had spent our day a little lost in our dressing room. We thought there would be nobody left, especially since we were playing after the Wailers, who had put everyone to sleep… And in fact, we went on stage, people woke up and there was full of people! We still wondered a little what we were doing there, we were a brand new group and we found ourselves on this big stage… ”
“We were rescheduled the following summer, in 1999. And there, it was nonsense. We had been to lots of festivals all summer, but everything seemed small to us compared to Carhaix, even Les Eurockéennes. 2001, that remains my strongest memory because we played during the day: we saw the public, the show was for us! I only opened my eyes at the end, when we played “The Apology”, and there I said to myself: “Ah yeah, anyway”! There were people everywhere, 180 degrees. It’s a monster to be tamed, the public of the Plows. We know well, we never get used to it. »
“In 2008, we played for our farewell tour. The volunteers gave us a guard of honor to our lodge. We ended up with them at the campsite that night. We have forged strong ties, there are people from Carhaix who took a family photo with us every time we came! At first, it was with their little kids, and then, year after year, the children grew up… When you come to Les Charrues, it’s a bit like coming to a family celebration to meet up with your cousins and the cousins. »
This article can be found in the special issue of the Telegram dedicated to the Old Plows, on sale at your newsagent. In texts and images, dive into 30 years of festivals! Price: €7.90
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