SunSka. Mc Solaar, Chinese Man and Flavia Coelho surround big names in reggae

The ^28th edition of the Médoc festival, where 30,000 people are expected over three days, retains a strong reggae identity while continuing its transformation towards other musical styles.

The most gray-haired will be left with their good old youthful tunes, those of the Gladiators or Israel Vibration. While SunSka, the ^28th of its name, which launches this Friday for three days of concerts, still boasts a host of big names in reggae (Tiken Jah Fakoly) or dub (Mad Professor, Stand High Patrol, etc.), it continues to stretch to many musical styles. The small town of Vertheuil, in the Médoc region of Gironde, is still opening its chakras: it will notably welcome personalities from the hip-hop scene (MC Solaar, Saïan Supa Célébration, or Théodort), Franco-Brazilian (Flavia Coelho), and even electro (Chinese Man). A heresy for purists? "SunSka hasn't lost its original culture," qualifies co-founder and artistic director Fred Lachaize. "It's simply opening up to derivatives, anything that's groove or black music." »

Around ten thousand people are expected every day until Sunday at the Domaine de Nodris, to shake their hips in front of one of the four stages set up this year. Dreadlocks, sandals, and CBD++ will obviously be out, but the audience has evolved, becoming much more family-oriented and local. Children accompany their parents. "We try to reach all ages," says Fred Lachaize.

For some, the legendary names of the Gladiators or Israel Vibration won't ring a bell, which is normal, but the festival is keen to program these legendary bands from the 60s and 70s, who have appeared several times and are part of its DNA. And too bad, if they are now far removed from their original lineup. "Many great, old artists died during the Covid period, and today, the reggae scene is struggling to renew itself," says Fred Lachaize. "Even in Jamaica, not much is happening. Our goal is also to get young audiences interested in these veteran artists, to listen to what they were doing."

SunSka hasn't forgotten its Jamaican classics, just as it continues to program a few French acts, like Nuttea and Big Red, who will be performing at Nodris. "Many festivals have become very general, and we end up finding the same lineup from one event to the next," says Fred Lachaize. "We're far from all that." The Médoc venue boasts, in particular, of welcoming Fermin Muguruza (the legend of Basque radical rock) for its only date in France this summer. It is also proud to open a new venue this year: the "Havana Barrio," where West Indian and Caribbean music (shatta, dancehall, and bouyon) will be performed. These are popular sounds that should delight the younger generations.

At the Nodris estate, in Verteuil (33) from this Friday, August ^1st until Sunday, August 3rd. Around thirty artists are scheduled over the three days. Information and tickets on the SunSka website .