Over the months, the organization has unveiled the entire program with some great evenings in store. Thomas Dutronc à Barbara Hendrix via Ibrahim Maalouf, The Kills et Keziah Jones, the big names will be there. As usual, Samuel Vincent et Michael Rolland unearth great talents like the soulmen Michael kiwanuka et Jalen Ngonda and robert cray, a septuagenarian American blues worthy of Buddy Guy. Human and qualitative, the Cognac Blues Passions is also the ideal place to discover other artists like No Money Kids, Quintana Dead Blues Experience, Frank and Robert Finley who will surprise a loyal and passionate Charente public. Let's hope the sun will be there with Earth Wind & Fire Experience who will groove the public gardens like Gloria Gaynor did it last year!
THE INTERVIEW
Samuel Vincent : Yes! From June 25th to 27th, we are organizing the Niort Jazz Festival (with Parov Stelar), on June 27th and 28th, we have the Free Music Festival around Lake Montendre with Cypress Hill as headliners, then Cognac Blues Passions from July 2 to 5, Au Détour des Tours in Saint Jean d'Angely on 3 consecutive Thursdays in July to offer the emerging scene, the StereoParc electro festival in Rochefort on July 18 and 19 and finally the Surgères Brass Festival at the end of July with (among others) Cali, Pascal Obispo and Olivia Ruiz.
Diego : A very busy program! What are your thoughts on the 2024 edition of Cognac Blues Passions?
Samuel Vincent : It was a very beautiful artistic edition. I am satisfied with the Rolling Stone Conversations stage, which took on a new dimension with acoustic sets and live interviews that gave rise to a collector's vinyl record. This one contains previously unreleased versions recorded in Cognac and mixed in London. A real success, all that was missing was the sun! I loved seeing Deep Purple et Rival Sons of which I am a die-hard fan… a Led Zeppelin side that I have unfortunately never seen in concert. This year, the timing didn't fit with his other performances but we would have liked to bring Robert Plant back to Cognac in 2025, it's a shame. The availability of artists is not always easy between festivals and the slots they have during a European summer tour. Besides the financial aspect, the planets have to align…
Diego : We all hope to hear "Whole Lotta Love" again in the Cognac gardens! What major changes are there compared to the previous edition?
Samuel Vincent : The edition is shortened by one day in the gardens because part of the festival is sponsored by private partnerships and the economic context is difficult. We opted for a prudent solution. The scale of the festival remains the same while continuing to offer local outdoor bars and numerous free concerts. Our goal is to raise public awareness of music that is not overly publicized. Inside the site, we will put it back at the heart of the project by creating a Cognac village, developing fast food, and adding seating.
Diego : People are a priority of the festival that has never escaped me and bravo for all this attention!
Samuel Vincent : Thank you. Our partners are in the same spirit to bring the audience closer to the festival.
Diego : Regarding a new feature in the lineup, some artists play twice before the headliner like Frank, Quintana Dead Blues Experience and No Money Kids?
Samuel Vincent : Indeed. Given that there are planned lineup changes, we have chosen two sets for certain artists. The concert density remains similar, but in the final timing, we will finish earlier this year, namely around 2 a.m. In order to ensure that the playing times of the bands you mentioned are significant, we decided to have them perform twice. In the end, you have four artists per evening, and we must add those who will be appearing at Rolling Stone Conversations in two parts, in the afternoon around 1 p.m. with free access and in the evening with the paid package.
Diego : The Rolling Stone stage is a real plus at the Cognac festival with friends Alma Rota and Xavier Bonnet! Just like the groove at the Château de Cognac!
Samuel Vincent : And this year, the public will be able to discover the Swiss Roxane, a young artist met through Universal. There will also be Jon Muq, a musician, producer and songwriter of Ugandan origin who plays soul.
Diego : I remember Bergson & Hooks' performance last year, which was amazing! A technical electro-acoustic duo mixing funky, soul, and blues!
Samuel Vincent : That's true. We're also creating "The Road to Soul" project on Thursdays and Fridays at Rémy Martin's. Two concerts at 17:30 p.m. with a featured instrument; this year the theme is the piano. The guests are Julien Brunetaud and Rémi Panossian. Capacity is limited to 150 people, with optimal conditions and a photographic exhibition.
Diego : Two lesser-known artists are also likely to make their mark on this 2025 edition, No Money Kids and Robert Cray?
Samuel Vincent : No Money Kids is a French trio with a busy schedule in 2025, with lots of new releases coming out regularly. They blend blues, rock, and pop with notable experience. I was lucky enough to see them earlier this year at La Maroquinerie, a sold-out concert for a great show. As for Robert Cray, he was on the covers of guitar magazines when I was younger. He's a genius considered the new BB King, without being as well-known to the general public as the classic references.
Diego : What human legacy does the founder of Cognac Blues Passions have? Michael Rolland Who is currently the artistic director of the festival and who passed it on to you?
Samuel Vincent : I've been working on the blues with Michel for 25 years, and the human factor is at the heart of all the events organized by Belle Factory. Festival-goers, volunteers, artists, technical teams, press, this factor is essential in our way of seeing things. Without all these people, there is no festival. Michel has driven DNA in the programming since the beginning, and I fully adhere to it, even if originally, I am more sensitive to electronic music, jazz, and rap. This connection is important, and our identity makes the event stand out. The competition is tough, and our choices are oriented toward artists who are perhaps "a little" less well-known but of undeniable quality. Our economic model is thus woven, and this sensitivity is a common point that we have with Michel.
Diego : That's all your credit, and I congratulate you for the joy you bring to the spectators! Finally, where can we buy tickets to come to Cognac Blues Passions from July 2nd to 5th?
Samuel Vincent Tickets are available from all standard distributors such as Ticketmaster and France Billet, or on the festival website. bluespassions.com and on the downloadable smartphone app. Regarding the packages, there are 3- and 4-day passes that include the first evening in Jarnac. The "Groove au Château" and "Remi Martin – The Road to Soul" evenings are additional for the sum of 15 euros per concert. These events take place in a very small group in an exceptional setting. All the information is available on our website.
Diego : By the way, I should point out that the smartphone app is constantly updated! Thanks, Samuel, and we'll see you at the most wonderful summer event!
Samuel Vincent : Thanks to Luxe Infinity. See you soon!
