Les Poules à Crêtes

ℹ️ Festival discontinued. The Les Poules à Crêtes festival, in its historic 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 (registered at the Roanne sub-prefecture). This entry is preserved as an archive to document the history of this significant event in the rural Loire punk scene. See below for the festival that has since taken its place in Fourneaux.

A punk festival in rural lands

Born in 2005 from the desire of the MJC in Fourneaux and the youth club in Neaux to promote concerts in rural areas, the Les Poules à Crêtes festival quickly became a fixture in the Loire musical landscape. Since the village emblem is the chicken, the organizers chose the name with a wink: "à crêtes" (crested) for their love of punk. What started as a small local party grew into a highly anticipated event for alternative music fans, attracting around 2,200 spectators over a weekend.

Two stages and street arts

The festival took place at the Salle de l'An Neuf and its surroundings in Fourneaux, near Saint-Symphorien-de-Lay. Two stages hosted bands on Friday and Saturday nights, in a festive atmosphere blending 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 lineup

True to its punk roots, the festival hosted iconic bands from the French and international scene over the years: 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, and Les Naufragés. The diversity of styles—from hardcore punk to festive ska and alternative rock—reflected the event's open and friendly spirit.

A volunteer-driven and community 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 bar, and events organized throughout the year. Free on-site camping, local food, and the family-friendly atmosphere on Saturday afternoon made it a human-scale event deeply rooted in its territory.

The successor: "Poule's Not Dead"

The punk gathering in Fourneaux still exists under a new name. The "Les Poules aux Pot'es" association, created in 2023, organizes Poule's Not Dead, no longer in September but in November: November 24th and 25th, 2023 for the first edition, November 8th and 9th, 2024 at the Salle de l'An Neuf, November 7th and 8th, 2025, and November 6th and 7th, 2026 for the fourth. The 2026 lineup features Los Tres Puntos, Skarface, Tulaviok, Charge 69, Maggy Bolle, ArcKaïK TraiTmenT, and Pandi Panda. It is a distinct event from Les Poules à Crêtes, though it carries on its spirit. The festival's historic Facebook page, still online at the same address, has become theirs.