Gazoufest

Gazoufest: An Emerging Festival Rooted in the Grand Ouest

Born in 2023 from the initiative of the Gazou association, founded on April 28, 2022, Gazoufest has quickly established itself as a unique multi-artistic event in the Mayenne festival scene. Located at the Domaine du Denais in Saint-Denis-d'Anjou, the festival benefits from a preserved natural setting, between meadows and woods, conducive to artistic discovery and conviviality.

An Eclectic and Engaged Musical Program

Each edition of Gazoufest offers an eclectic musical program spread across two stages: a main stage at the heart of the festival and a DJ stage hosted by the collective Brillance Musique. The festival features about fifteen emerging bands and artists from the Grand Ouest, covering a wide spectrum of genres: rock, electro, folk, hip-hop, experimental music, and DJ sets. Among the artists who have performed on Gazoufest's stages are Stone From The Sky, SolOrkestar, Vicky Veryno, Treaks, L'Amoureuse, Bou, Feuille, Jane et les autres, Hubble, Toniowok, and Inaï.

An Artist Village and Participatory Workshops

Beyond music, Gazoufest hosts an exhibiting artist village featuring illustrators, tattoo artists, photographers, screen printers, sculptors, and graphic designers. Participatory workshops—collage, photography, yoga, dance, bread making—are led by the featured artists, offering festival-goers an immersive and interactive experience. Round tables, conferences, and live podcast recordings complete the program, notably through partnerships with the collective Nana On Stage, podcasters Umlaut Musique, and the collective Qui Nettoie Si Ce N'est Toi ?.

Strong Environmental and Ethical Values

Gazoufest claims an ecological and ethical commitment at the core of its identity. The festival deliberately avoids booking headliners or international artists to limit its carbon footprint. The catering is entirely homemade, local, organic, with vegetarian and vegan options, served from 10 am to 2 am. A breakfast service is offered each morning. The festival prioritizes short supply chains and partnerships with local producers and associations.

An Associative Project Driven by Passion

Driven by the Gazou association, governed by the law of July 1, 1901, Gazoufest relies on the energy of passionate volunteers. The first edition in 2023 welcomed around 400 festival-goers, mobilized over 50 artists and thirty volunteers, with the support of eight local associations and businesses. The second edition in 2024 surpassed 500 festival-goers. Throughout the year, the association organizes Gazouparties, festive and musical evenings that maintain the festival's spirit and animate the cultural life of the department.