The Green Escape

The Green Escape: When Country Opens to the World

Born in 1988 under the name Festival Country Rendez-Vous in Doré-l'Église in Puy-de-Dôme with only 250 spectators, the festival settled in Craponne-sur-Arzon in 1993 to find an exceptional natural setting. Over the decades, it became one of the most important country music festivals in Europe, hosting legends like Bill Monroe, Alison Krauss, or Emmylou Harris, and attracting up to 30,000 spectators in its best years.

The Green Escape: A New Identity

In 2018, after thirty successful editions, the association Festival Country Rendez-Vous, chaired by Delphine Magaud, decided to rename the event The Green Escape. This new name reflects an acknowledged musical openness: the programming is enriched with rock, folk, blues, bluegrass, Americana, and rockabilly, while retaining country as its identity base. The name also evokes conviviality, friendly reunions, and the magnificent landscapes of Haute-Loire.

Two Memorable Editions

The first edition under the name The Green Escape, in July 2018, made a mark with the appearance of the legendary British band Status Quo, alongside artists like Sam Outlaw, Southern Avenue, Gunwood, and Blue Water Highway. The 2019 edition continued the momentum with an eclectic program featuring Beth Hart, Kiefer Sutherland, Wade Bowen, Kris Barras Band, JigJam, Elliott Murphy, and Mile Twelve.

An Exceptional Natural Site

The concerts were held at the Parc des Étoiles, a 7-hectare natural amphitheater nestled on the Velay plateau, offering a unique setting under the Haute-Loire stars. The town center of Craponne hosted the Festival Off with free entertainment, parades of American vehicles, Harley-Davidsons, cheerleaders, and country dance initiations.

Difficulties and Legacy

Despite the artistic renewal, the 2019 edition suffered a 40% drop in attendance, resulting in a deficit of 107,000 euros. The association, whose budget reached 500,000 euros and whose revenue depended 80% on ticket sales, could not organize an edition in 2020. The Green Escape nevertheless remains an important chapter in the musical history of Craponne-sur-Arzon, a legacy that is now carried on by new local initiatives dedicated to country music.