Evenstar Festival

The Evenstar Festival: Reggae Takes Over Vendée

Born in 2019 from the passion of Julien Tanneau and Valentin Jaumier, founders of the cultural production company Evenstar based in Les Sables-d'Olonne, Evenstar Festival quickly established itself as the major reggae event in Western France. From its very first edition at the Parc des Oudairies in La Roche-sur-Yon, the festival captivated 1,250 spectators who came to groove to the sound of reggae in a warm and promising atmosphere, with Vanupié, Jahneration, and Pierpoljak as headliners.

From Parc des Oudairies to Vendéspace

Building on this initial success, Evenstar Festival took on a new dimension by moving to the Vendéspace in Mouilleron-le-Captif, a departmental complex of 21,000 m² located near La Roche-sur-Yon. This move allowed the festival to grow, expanding from two to three days of programming and hosting internationally renowned artists on two stages. The 2022 edition brought together 7,000 festival-goers over two days, featuring artists such as Tryo, Naâman, Kalash, Youssoupha, and Nèg'Marrons.

A Top-Tier International Lineup

The fourth edition, in November 2023, marked a turning point with an exceptional lineup featuring reggae legends: Julian Marley, Alborosie & Shengen Clan, Protoje, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Capleton, L'Entourloop, Patrice, Taïro, Lila Iké, Soom T, Stand High Patrol, Volodia, and the Ensemble National de Reggae. Over 10,000 festival-goers and 200 volunteers filled the Vendéspace for three days of concerts, fueled by an atmosphere described as exceptional by attendees.

An Independent and Committed Festival

One of the unique aspects of Evenstar Festival is its complete financial independence: the festival operates without any public funding, relying entirely on ticket sales and private partnerships. This independence ensures total artistic freedom in programming, focusing on the diversity of reggae genres: roots, dancehall, dub, raggamuffin, as well as hip-hop and Afro-Caribbean world music.

With nearly 300 volunteers mobilized each year and strong local ties, Evenstar Festival has become a major cultural player in Vendée and an ambassador for reggae throughout Western France, proving that an independent festival can combine artistic excellence, a festive atmosphere, and popular success.