Nasty Fest turns up the volume in Bron

Born from a conversation between musicians, Nasty Fest is gradually establishing itself as a unique event in Bron. Led by Patrick Andujar, aka Paco Rockinblues, and strongly supported by his band Nasty Buffalo (pictured above), the festival is steadily gaining recognition thanks to a solid blues and rock lineup and, above all, a simple desire to play and share music. Blues Actu is a partner of the event and met Paco, the man behind the festival, to learn more about it.

(c) Photo credit: Pascal Sauriat

A simple idea that became a festival

At the beginning, there was no strategy or development plan, just a straightforward desire. As Paco explains, everything started with a discussion with another well-known musician from the local scene, Pascal Garcia: “The original idea behind Nasty Fest came from a conversation between us. We said to ourselves: ‘What if we put together a great stage for ourselves?’ We started looking at different venues, but very quickly, the issue of funding came up, because it still represents quite a budget.”

The project took shape thanks to immediate support. “I talked about it with a close friend, Louis, from Le Bistrot de l’Aviation in Bron. He answered: ‘Vamos, I’m in.’ That’s how he became the first partner, and how the very first Nasty Fest was born.”

The first edition, in 2024, was built around close connections and friendship. “We did it with our friends from Colorkode and Smoking Heads, with a very simple and direct approach.”

In 2025, the festival reached another level with the arrival of a legendary band choosing Nasty Fest to present their new album… “The opportunity came up for Ganafoul to present their latest bombshell, Dangerous Times. The timing played a big role, and it clearly raised the bar. We completed the lineup with the Leo Benmass Trio, who were really taking off at that moment.”

For 2026, the same philosophy remains, with a focus on bands currently making waves. “This year, we chose Emerald Moon, who everybody knows, as well as the blues soul sounds of Luc Blackstone. The idea is to keep a coherent lineup with bands that have real momentum.”

A musicians’ project above all

Although Nasty Buffalo performs at every edition, the project goes far beyond the band itself. “Yes, we complete the lineup each year, but the original idea was really about enjoying ourselves on a great stage while inviting strong acts. It’s not just another concert, it’s a moment we build together.”

Over time, the festival has started attracting applications from bands. “We’re not really concert promoters, except for this festival. But now, many bands contact us for Nasty Fest. The choice is made collectively, depending on current news and activity. This year, Emerald Moon really stood out with the release of their album The Sky’s the Limit.”

Nasty Fest has naturally found its home in Bron, at Jack Jack. A logical and deliberate choice. “We’re from Bron, so Jack Jack naturally became the venue. It’s a great stage, and every band that has played there has been really happy with the sound and atmosphere.” Beyond the venue itself, strong relationships have grown over time. “We now have very good connections with the team, with Yann, Julien, Jean-Louis and the whole staff. And the city of Bron is starting to take interest in our festival, which shows that it’s growing.”

An identity taking shape

The positioning is clear and fully embraced. “The spirit of the festival is about sharing great music with a strong lineup, talented and approachable artists. And above all, making sure people have a fantastic evening for a small price, around 12 euros, considering concert prices these days.”

The 2026 edition follows this same direction with a coherent lineup. “This year, with Emerald Moon, Luc Blackstone and Nasty Buffalo, it’s going to deliver the kind of blues and rock we love. That’s exactly what Nasty Fest is about.” As the editions go by, the festival keeps gaining visibility. “Nasty Fest is developing its own identity. Thanks to the success of previous editions, many bands are already contacting us for the next one.”

The challenge now is to maintain that momentum. “We want to keep the same spirit: a quality festival that remains affordable. But for that to happen, bands need to play along and partners need to support us.” And in that spirit, one final message comes quite naturally: “We hope Blues Actu Radio, with its growing reputation, can help give us a boost…” If you’ve read this article all the way through, then consider it done! From our side, we simply say: “Long live Nasty Fest!”

Ticket link: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/rock-in-blues/evenements/nastyfest-2026