Positive Education Festival

Electro at the heart of Saint-Étienne's industrial heritage

Founded in 2016 by Charles Di Falco and Antoine Hernandez, the Positive Education Festival was born from the energy of a collective of musicians and electronic music enthusiasts in Saint-Étienne. What was initially just a local initiative has become in a few years one of the most respected events on the European electronic scene, attracting over 15,000 festival-goers during its 8th edition in 2024.

Historic Venues

The festival takes place across two emblematic sites in Saint-Étienne. The evenings take over the Parc des Expositions, boulevard Jules Janin, whose vast halls are transformed into monumental dancefloors with scenography by renowned studios like Matière Noire. The daytime events are held at Le Clapier, a former SNCF train station converted into a concert hall, complemented by an adjacent covered car park transformed into a temporary club. Until 2023, the festival was held at the Cité du Design, an iconic city landmark, before moving to these new spaces offering increased capacity and scenographic possibilities.

An Audacious and Eclectic Program

Positive Education's strength lies in its uncompromising artistic direction. Each edition offers a journey through electronic aesthetics: powerful techno, groovy house, electrifying drum & bass, contemplative ambient, and avant-garde experimental. The festival has hosted top artists such as Goldie, Oklou, I Hate Models, Dax J, Hudson Mohawke, Overmono, Objekt, Anetha, The Bug & Flowdan, Eris Drew & Octo Octa, and Planetary Assault Systems. The format alternates DJ sets and live performances, with daytime conferences and workshops.

A Committed and Eco-Responsible Festival

Positive Education holds a committed vision of event management. The festival implements an ambitious environmental policy: reusable cups, selective waste sorting, partnerships with local sustainable development actors, and public awareness. Accessibility and inclusivity are at the heart of the project, with a clear desire to make electronic culture open to all. Support for emerging artists, particularly through commissioning first live performances, demonstrates a strong commitment to creation.

A Reach Beyond Saint-Étienne

Beyond the autumn festival, the Positive Education collective animates the Saint-Étienne scene throughout the year and organizes pe:rsona, a satellite event in the summer. The festival attracts an audience from all over France and Europe, contributing to the cultural influence of Saint-Étienne and the Loire region. Supported by the Department of the Loire and Saint-Étienne Métropole, it actively participates in the territory's cultural and economic dynamism.