The largest reggae festival in France took place for the twelfth and final time at its iconic venue, Les Forges de Fraisans! Once again this year, 53,000 fans of good vibes and good music gathered to enjoy an eclectic lineup featuring roots, dub, soul, and plenty of surprises!
The audience enjoyed concerts on three different stages: the first stage was on the campsite, at Ch’Apero, where bands played in the early afternoon and late at night (even until the morning!).
On the festival site, the Dubfactory stage was designed for fans of heavy bass, sound systems, dub, electro, etc., while the main stage attracted most of the festival-goers with its headliners.
It isn’t easy to cover everything and share all the concerts with you, but here is my selection, day by day!
Arriving in the village of Fraisans in the morning, I started my festival by heading to the Ch’Apero to enjoy Siska”s concert. An artist who rose to fame with the Watcha Clan, she is continuing her solo career and has just released an album, «Holdin‘ the Vibe», produced by Prince Fatty.
Then it was Maxxo’s turn, an artist who is making a comeback! Indeed, the artist made his mark on French reggae in 2010 with his second album, “For the Next Generation”! He’s making a strong comeback in 2025 with the release of several singles and a tour that includes No Logo!
It’s time to head to the main stage, where the first night is already shaping up to be a great one! We’ll start with French duo / Woks, who have been regulars at French festivals for over a decade. The band draws in the crowd as they begin to arrive at the site, despite the intense heat!
Then came a wonderful surprise with a young Jamaican artist I discovered on stage: Jah Lil. He is part of a new wave of artists who are reviving reggae while respecting its fundamentals, both musically and lyrically.
Next up were the legends of reggae: first Clinton Fearon, who alternated between new tracks from his album “Jah is Love” and his classics! It’s always a pleasure to feel this artist’s solar energy! Next up was Burning Spear, who set the audience alight! The experience of a Burning Spear concert is always as mystical and militant as ever, and as close as you can get to the very essence of reggae and even Rastafari!
The mood changed with French artist Tarro, who alternated between lover’s rock and militant styles, allowing the audience to sing along to French reggae classics such as «Bonne Weed»! It was a good transition to a more hip-hop lineup with Marseille’s Fonky Family!
Unfortunately, I feel like I’m no longer 20 years old, and I go home to sleep, feeling guilty for missing the great David Rodigan!
I start the second day right on the Dub Factory stage, where I’m eager to see Youthie”s performance. Equally at ease with a violin, trumpet, or diatonic accordion, the artist takes us on a journey to the Orient and the Balkans with some great dub bass lines!
Then I head to the main stage to discover a band from Yunnan province in China: Puman, who add traditional instruments and melodies to reggae rhythms. A beautiful, original, and exotic discovery! After China, No Logo transported us to Senegal with Meta and the Cornerstones. A regular on European stages, Meta Dia and his musicians spread their messages of peace, ecology, and love! Pure pleasure!
China, Senegal, and back to Europe with the Italians Mellow Mood! The twins present their latest album, “7,” released this year, and perform their most famous songs, such as “Dance Inna Babylon” with the audience.
As always with reggae, we return to its birthplace: Jamaica with Third World. For over 50 years, the band has been setting stages around the world on fire! I’m sure it was over 96° in the shade that day, but the first notes of “Jah Glory” brought the necessary refreshment to our spirits!
We ended the night with two French artists: first, Biga Ranx, set up under the coconut trees, sharing his festive electro vibes and attracting a large audience!
Then it was the turn of a staple of the French reggae scene, Yaniss Odua, accompanied by his faithful Artikal Band. “Rouge, Jaune, Verf’ “Chalawa” and other big tunes by the artist had the Fraisans forge rocking!
And then, surprise … Florent Sanseigne, the festival director, arrives on stage with two gold records, which he presents to the happy, moved, and grateful artist! Two wonderful awards for a great artist!
What a great way to end my second evening!
The Ch’Apero lineup interested me for two reasons: the first group is Obidaya.
Roots harmonies like you don’t hear anymore with this vocal quartet! A band that is becoming rare, but as we all know, what is rare is precious! And Obidaya is preciously and talentedly continuing the legacy of reggae! An auditory gem!
After a quick change of stage under the campsite marquee, No Logo campers are reunited with Nadia McAnuff, accompanied by the Ligerians. Over the past few years, European audiences have discovered the radiant Nadia, who is making a name for herself in the world of reggae. The musicians and singers create a perfect harmony, much to the delight of the audience! Energy, love, pleasure!
It’s time to leave the campsite and head to the main stage, where Ayo will transport us into her soulful world. A piano, a double bass, and the artist’s soft voice. A moment of pure bliss!
We return to basics with more reggae legends: the Twinkle Brothers accompanied by Barry Prince, Dub Judah, and Errol Nicholson. Norman Grant’s energy quickly captivates the crowd as he plays the group’s classics such as “Patoo” “Jahoviah” and “Faith Can Move Mountains.”
Without transition, it’s time for one of the concerts I’ve been looking forward to. More than 25 years ago, ragga was a fairly significant movement in France. Bands mixed reggae and hip-hop. One of the pillars of this movement was the Neg’Marrons. Present at the first edition of the festival, Jacky and Ben’J proved with a totally masterful show that they were still the ones to count on to get the crowd jumping!
For the last edition at Les Forges de Fraisans, the 17,000 people took stock calmly, reminiscing about every moment spent at Les Forges de Fraisans! Then it was Ky-Mani Marley‘s turn. It’s always a pleasure to see one of the sons of the godfather of reggae, but I must admit I was somewhat disappointed by his performance, in which the covers drowned out the artist’s own compositions.
Finally, it was Danakil who set Les Forges de Fraisans alight. The group is a staple of French reggae and a shining example of DIV! Always militant, always festive, always sharing the stage with other artists, such as Pamela Badjogo and Marcus Gad tonight.
By Livi Pix/Frédo Mat
No Logo Festival, Fraisans 2025
