Festival Plein'Air — Rock en plein air à Béthancourt-en-Vaux

A friendly rock festival born in 2010

The Festival Plein'Air was born in 2010 in Béthancourt-en-Vaux, a small village in the Aisne department located between Chauny and Noyon, in the southern part of the department. Supported by the Festival Plein'Air association and the Comité des Fêtes de Béthancourt-en-Vaux, this open-air rock festival has become a key event over the years for lovers of rock, blues, and hard rock music in the Hauts-de-France region. Each edition is held on the last Saturday of August, at 6 rue de Genlis, a stone's throw from the Place des Marronniers.

Five bands on stage every year

The Festival Plein'Air's formula is simple and effective: five bands perform on stage from 6:30 PM until past midnight, offering a full evening of rock under the stars. The lineup mixes local artists, national bands, and international headliners, covering a wide musical spectrum: rock, hard rock, blues rock, pop rock, metal, and indie rock. Among the notable artists from recent editions: Little Odetta (rock/blues/hard rock), The Dirty Denims (happy hard rock, Netherlands), Gad Zukes (British pop-rock), Fallen Lillies, The Agony (Czech Republic), and Scieur Z with their electrified musical saw.

An audacious and varied lineup

The festival doesn't shy away from thematic editions. In 2023, the 14th edition featured a 100% female lineup with five bands exclusively composed of female musicians, including The Rainbow, Kill The Princess, Fallen Lillies, and The Agony, a Czech quartet of modern heavy rock. This boldness in programming sets the Festival Plein'Air apart from other rock events in the region and demonstrates the organizing team's commitment to musical diversity.

A festive and accessible spirit

The Festival Plein'Air focuses on friendliness and accessibility. Prices are deliberately kept low: 13 euros in advance at partner points of sale (bookstores, music shops, tourist offices in Aisne and Oise) and 18 euros on-site, with free admission for children under 12. Catering is provided on-site by the Comité des Fêtes, parking is free, a cloakroom is available, and a guitar raffle rewards festival-goers. Supported by the Communauté d'Agglomération Chauny-Tergnier-La Fère, the festival attracts a loyal and growing audience each year.