Rock en Seine: an exceptional edition

Summer officially ends on 22 September. But every year, in the Paris region and in the hearts of rock aficionados, it comes to a close on the final weekend of August at Rock en Seine. As everyone prepares to head back to work and school, the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud becomes a temple of rock, extending the warmth and easy-going spirit of these two special months.

Live report – Rock en Seine
📆 28 August 2026
📌 Saint-Cloud – Domaine national de Saint-Cloud
📷 Émilie Bardalou, Olivier Hoffschir and NeekKetsu / Rock en Seine.

This year, as has been the case for several editions, each day had its own theme. Contemporary rap icon Tyler, The Creator kicked off the festivities on Wednesday. Pop took centre stage on Thursday with Lykke Li, Djo and Lorde. On Saturday, the atmosphere shifted between punk and metal with the Dynamite Shakers, High Vis, LANDMVRKS, Amyl and The Sniffers, Turnstile and Deftones. On Sunday, Rock en Seine became a temple of rock to welcome the legendary The Cure for an unforgettable concert broadcast on France 4.

Friday was all about rock, with a line-up featuring Tyler Ballgame, Kurt Vile and The Violators, The Black Keys and Franz Ferdinand, before a spectacular finale with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. You needed sharp ears and plenty of stamina to race from one stage to another and make the most of this extraordinary day. Blues Actu was there to tell you all about it.

While some are finishing their afternoon snack and others are starting on their first beers, Tyler Ballgame takes to one of the festival’s smaller stages. Blues Actu has been following this artist for quite some time and was there for his concert at La Boule Noire last April. Back with his band, Tyler Ballgame reunites with his Parisian audience for a concert almost identical to the previous one.

One thing has changed, however. Tyler Ballgame appears more confident and seems to be enjoying himself even more. He was far from uncertain in April, although a few moments of hesitation occasionally showed. On this late-August evening, with sunglasses perched on his nose, he continues his remarkable rise. His album features prominently in the set, striking a chord as the songs are sung back by an audience of long-time fans and curious newcomers. The concert ends with a superb cover that has now become something of a tradition: Badfinger’s Without You.

As his set comes to an end, the distinctly American Kurt Vile and his band The Violators get theirs under way. A former member of The War On Drugs, Kurt Vile is something of a musical enigma. He has been forging his own path for around fifteen years, touring venues and festivals across Europe and North America. His lyrics and rhythms are reminiscent of Bob Dylan, while his rock influences occasionally bring Bruce Springsteen to mind. A sizeable crowd has gathered to hear this superbly polished blend of folk rock with blues undertones.

A rock marathon on the main stage

The race continues. Next stop is the Main Stage, where one of the biggest names in garage rock and blues rock is performing tonight: The Black Keys. Following acclaimed appearances in Paris in 2023 and 2024, their return to the French capital was eagerly awaited, particularly as an opportunity to present their latest album, Peaches!.

The band delivers its trademark Black Keys sound, but above all offers a greatest-hits-style setlist perfectly suited to a festival. There is still room for a few personal favourites, beginning with the opening song, I Got Mine, one of their anthems from the album Attack & Release. Emblematic of the band’s sound, the track is a fabulous burst of garage blues rock. The evening is under way and looks very promising.

Dan Auerbach, Patrick Carney and their musicians then launch into a string of classics: Gold on the Ceiling, Next Girl, Howlin’ for You and Tighten Up, before ending in a frenzy with Lonely Boy. The crowd celebrates the end of the concert in fitting style. Then it is time to start running again, this time towards Franz Ferdinand, already awaited by a large audience.

Nick Cave reigns supreme

At around 10 p.m., the day’s headliner is expected on the Main Stage: Nick Cave, accompanied by his band The Bad Seeds. Just over a year earlier, Blues Actu had attended the Australian giant’s piano-and-bass performance at the Philharmonie de Paris.

The lights go down in front of the Main Stage. The day has been sold out for several days, and the crowd packed in front of the stage confirms that a large part of the audience has come for Nick Cave. The first lights come back on and the service begins with the driving Get Ready for Love. A runway extending over the front of the pit allows the singer to move closer to his disciples.

His presence is immense. The performance is phenomenal. Nick Cave is not here to prove anything. In a vast rock service, he delivers one moment of grace after another with O Children, Tupelo, Joy and Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry.

The fans in the front rows literally carry the Australian singer as he moves into the crowd and rises above the audience. The concert then transcends music itself. Nick Cave succeeds in turning his performance into a powerful moment of communion between his band, the audience and the festival as a whole.

Towards the end of the set, he delivers his classics in a spiritual atmosphere: Red Right Hand, The Weeping Song, Jubilee Street and Hollywood. It feels as though this almost Lynchian giant is summoning the invisible and the intangible to create moments of extraordinary intensity.

He ends the evening alone at the piano with the sublime Into My Arms. The final note has barely faded when the first reactions begin describing a performance beyond all superlatives. The following day, the media will reach the same conclusion. It is difficult to describe such an evening or find the words for a performance like this. Nick Cave has nothing left to prove. Yet he performs every night as though his life depended on it, as though it were his final concert.

Friday evening comes to an end. This excellent and resolutely rock-focused day dazzled the crowd. By giving pride of place to emerging artists such as Tyler Ballgame, established bands such as The Black Keys and Franz Ferdinand, and the legendary Nick Cave, it proved a resounding success. The Parisian summer will draw to a close on Sunday with Robert Smith and his bandmates. Roll on next summer. See you next year, Rock en Seine!