Sylak Open Air
Open-air metal and rock festival in the Ain
About Sylak
Human-Scale Metal on the Banks of the Ain
Nestled in the heart of the Plaine de l'Ain, about forty kilometres east of Lyon, Sylak Open Air has established itself since 2011 as one of the most endearing metal festivals in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Every summer, the Stade Régis Perrin in Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans transforms into a true temple of the riff, welcoming several thousand enthusiasts from across France and beyond.
The SYLAK Spirit: Supporting Local Artists
Behind the acronym lies a philosophy: "Support Your Local Artist Krew". Founded by the association The Rock Runners, established in 2005, the festival has always championed a line-up blending international headliners with local and national discoveries. The entire organisation relies on passionate volunteers, with no employees or offices. This authenticity shows in the festival's unique atmosphere, where the closeness between artists and audience creates an incomparable energy.
The line-up is collectively decided by the volunteers, ensuring remarkable musical diversity: from death metal to stoner rock, from hardcore to punk, via black metal, doom and thrash. Over the editions, legendary acts such as Dimmu Borgir, Candlemass, Mass Hysteria, Korpiklaani and Agnostic Front have graced the Sylak stage.
An Exceptional Natural Setting
One of Sylak Open Air's major assets is its natural setting. The stadium, located on the edge of the Ain river, offers festival-goers the chance to swim between concerts, creating a relaxed summer atmosphere rare in the world of metal. The campsite is an integral part of the experience, allowing visitors to live the festival from the inside over three days.
The traditional Friday Warm Up, with its legendary outdoor metal foam bath covering nearly 200 m², has become an unmissable moment that sets the tone for a weekend of conviviality and raw energy.
Controlled Growth
Since its first edition in 2011, Sylak Open Air has continued to grow while preserving its human-scale festival identity. The move to three full days, the constantly enriched programme and the hosting of top-tier international acts demonstrate measured but determined ambition. The festival benefits from local authority support and actively contributes to the cultural and tourist appeal of the Plaine de l'Ain.
Sylak embodies this new generation of independent festivals proving that passion, volunteering and musical standards can coexist to deliver an authentic experience, far from the commercial logic of major event groups.
Sylak — edition 2026
16th edition of Sylak Open Air, from July 31st to August 2nd, 2026 at the Stade Régis Perrin in Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans (Ain). Three days of open-air metal and rock with Black Label Society, Heaven Shall Burn, Biohazard, Amorphis, Dark Tranquillity, Madball, Agnostic Front, Rise of the Northstar, Terror, Orden Ogan and many other bands.
16th Edition: Sylak Strikes Even Harder
The Sylak Open Air returns from Friday, July 31st to Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 at the Stade Régis Perrin for a 16th edition that promises to be an exceptional vintage. By the end of May 2026, the organization had already announced a record occupancy rate of 73%, a sign of the enthusiasm for this lineup.
The headliner is Black Label Society, Zakk Wylde's band, a legend of American heavy metal. The edition also brings together Germany's Heaven Shall Burn, Finland's Amorphis, the melodic death metal of Dark Tranquillity, New York hardcore pioneers Agnostic Front, Madball and Biohazard, the energy of Rise of the Northstar and Terror, the power metal of Orden Ogan, the punk of The Casualties, the technical death metal of Gorod, as well as The Great Old Ones, Truckfighters, Misery Index, Slomosa, Cage Fight and many new discoveries.
True to its "Support Your Local Artist Krew" spirit, the festival maintains its human-sized format on the banks of the Ain, with its camping and its traditional Friday Warm Up.
Programme Sylak 2026
Friday, July 31st, 2026
- The Casualties
- Gorod
- LocoMuerte
- Embrace Your Punishment
- Nøcide
- Face 2 Fake
- Psyclons
(Warm Up — doors open at 4:30 PM)
Saturday, August 1st, 2026
- Heaven Shall Burn
- Amorphis
- Biohazard
- Madball
- Rise of the Northstar
- Truckfighters
- SUN
- The Great Old Ones
- Gravekvlt
- Death Decline
- Catchlight
(Doors open at 10:30 AM)
Sunday, August 2nd, 2026
- Black Label Society
- Dark Tranquillity
- Orden Ogan
- Terror
- Agnostic Front
- Slomosa
- Misery Index
- Reverend Beat-Man & Milan Slick
- Cage Fight
- Pilori
- Occult Hand Order
(Doors open at 10:30 AM)
Highlights Sylak 2026
- Black Label Society, heavy metal legend with Zakk Wylde
- Amorphis, figures of Finnish progressive metal
- Agnostic Front and Madball, pillars of New York hardcore
- Biohazard, crossover thrash veterans
- Dark Tranquillity, pioneers of melodic death metal
- Rise of the Northstar, French beatdown power
- 3-day pass at 119 euros
Prices Sylak 2026
Practical information — Sylak
Practical Information
Getting There
Sylak Open Air takes place at the Stade Régis Perrin, Chemin du Stade, 01800 Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, in the Ain department.
- By car: From Lyon, take the A42 towards Geneva then exit Charnoz-Loyettes (approx. 40 min). From Bourg-en-Bresse, approx. 50 min via the D1075 then D20.
- By train: Ambérieu-en-Bugey station (Lyon - Ambérieu regional train), then shuttle or carpooling.
Camping
A campsite is provided for festival-goers for the duration of the festival. The campsite opens on Friday. Swimming in the Ain river is possible nearby.
Food & Drink
Food stands and a bar are on site throughout the festival.
Tickets
Tickets are available online via the Seetickets platform. 3-day passes and day tickets available.
Contact
- Website: www.sylakopenair.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/sylakopenair
- Instagram: @sylakopenair
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Where does it take place — Sylak
Stade Régis Perrin
Chemin du Stade, 01800 Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans