Les Poules à Crêtes

ℹ️ Festival discontinued. The Les Poules à Crêtes festival, in its historical form as a September punk gathering in Fourneaux, is no longer held. The organizing association of the same name was officially dissolved on June 23, 2018 (declaration to the sub-prefecture of Roanne). This page is kept as an archive to trace the history of this significant event in the rural punk scene of the Loire region. See below for the festival that succeeded it in Fourneaux.

A punk festival in a rural setting

Born in 2005 from the desire of the MJC de Fourneaux and the youth club of Neaux to promote concerts in rural areas, the Les Poules à Crêtes festival quickly became rooted in the musical landscape of the Loire. The village emblem being the hen, the organizers had mischievously chosen this name: « à crêtes » (with crests) for their love of punk. What was initially just a small local party had become an anticipated event for fans of alternative music, attracting around 2,200 spectators over a weekend.

Two stages and street arts

The festival took over the Salle de l'An Neuf and its surroundings in Fourneaux, near Saint-Symphorien-de-Lay. Two stages hosted bands on Friday evening and Saturday evening, in a resolutely festive atmosphere mixing punk, alternative rock, ska, and ska-punk. On Saturday afternoon, the Place de la Mairie transformed into a space dedicated to street arts: shows for children and adults, street theater companies, brass bands, and exhibitions, all with free access.

An engaged and eclectic program

True to its punk roots, the festival welcomed emblematic bands from the French and international scene over its editions: Tagada Jones, Les Ramoneurs de Menhirs, Parabellum, Le Bal des Enragés, Les Sales Majestés, Elmer Food Beat, The Locos, Goulamas'k, Los Tres Puntos, Opium du Peuple, 3 Fromages, Banane Metalik, L'Animalerie or Les Naufragés. The diversity of styles — from pure punk to festive ska, including alternative rock — reflected the open and friendly spirit of the event.

A volunteer and solidarity spirit

Entirely run by volunteers from the villages of the Pays Entre Loire et Rhône community of communes, the festival relied on self-financing through ticket sales, the refreshment stand, and events organized throughout the year. The free on-site camping, local catering, and family atmosphere on Saturday afternoon made it a human-sized event, rooted in its territory.

The sequel: « Poules Not Dead »

The punk spirit of Fourneaux has not completely died out. A new association, « Les Poules aux Pot'es » (created in March 2023), has relaunched a punk festival in the commune under the name Poules Not Dead, organized no longer in September but in autumn (the 2nd edition was held on November 8 and 9, 2024, in Fourneaux, notably featuring Goulamas'K, Los[K]soS, Didier Super, Babar les Russes). This is a distinct event, inheriting the spirit of Les Poules à Crêtes.