The Vieilles Charrues Festival (, ; , ; literally: Old Ploughs Festival) is held every year in mid-July in the city of Carhaix, France.
History
1990s The first edition takes place in 1992. In 1994, 3,000 festival-goers attended the concerts.
2000s
In 2001, the festival welcomes a new president, Paul Hély, Christian Troadec having been elected mayor of Carhaix. The festival welcomes 200,000 people over three days.
In 2002, the festival attracts 160,000 festival-goers.
In 2003, the festival is threatened by the conflict over the reform of the status of the show’s workers.
In 2009, Bruce Springsteen welcomes festival-goers in a local language, not French but Breton. Springsteen says: "Demat Karaez ! Demat Karaez !" (Hello Carhaix!). He adds: "Mat an traoù ganeoc'h" (How are you?) then "Tri Martolod" (Three sailors), a traditional Breton song.
2010s In 2012, the theme of the festival is Superheroes.
2020s In 2023, the festival attracts 346,000 festival-goers.
Frequentation The festival welcomes 10,000 festivalgoers in 1995, 40,000 in 1997, 100,000 in 1998, 200,000 in 2001, 268,000 festivalgoers for the 20 years in 2011.
In 2023, the participation record reached 346,000. But 2024 has a deficit of €1M with 250,000 festival-goers. In 2025, financial balance is restored with 264,000 festival-goers. The daily rate remains at €52.
Organisation The festival promotes the Breton language. Part of the association’s work is devoted to the development of the associative and cultural fabric of Central Brittany, in a process of development of the Breton language. In 1999, the festival promoted financially the Breton-medium Diwan school network.
The festival has an impact on the city of Carhaix-Plouguer: its culture center with a capacity of 3,000 people is bigger than the Olympia Hall in Paris. The organisation of Vieilles Charrues festival needs 2,500 employees and 7,400 volunteers.
Lineups 2025 Thursday, July 17: Alanis Morissette, Astéréotypie, Craze, Damiano David, Deluxe, GaBLé, Grife, Malik Djoudi, Meat Shirt, Naza, Nina Kraviz, Saïan Supa Celebration, Théodort, Vladimir Cauchemar Friday, July 18: Aime Simone, Alo Wala, Ana Lua Caiano, David Krakauer, Eléonore Fourniau, Gesaffelstein, Horizontal Francis, Julien Doré, L'Entourloop, Macklemore, Maraboutage, Pamela, Quinquis, Solann, Tif Saturday, July 19: Adèle Castillon, Aïta mon amour, Amelie Lens, Aurora, Barokistania, Fallen Alien, Feràmia, Fleuves, Ital express, Lambrini Girls, Lorho-Pasco/Lintanf, Luidji, Martin Solveig, Nicol/le Forestier, Philippe Katerine, Roszalie, Stereophonics, The Kraken Consort, Théodora, Totorro, Worakls Orchestra Sunday, July 20: Ben Mazué, Boogie, Damso, Kompromat, La Mòssa, Last Train, Mémé k7 kba#10, Miki, Mitsune, Ofenbach, Perceval, Ronisia, Sami Galbi, Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter, Théa, Wallace Cleaver, Yoa, Zaho de Sagazan
2024 Thursday, July 11: Alias, Apashe with brass orchestra, Baby Volcano, David Guetta, Gossip, Hervé, L'Impératrice, Lucie Antunes, Marc Cerrone, Meute, PLK, Sam Smith, Shay, Yamê, Zamdane, Zaoui Friday, July 12: Bab l'Bluz, Championne, Flavia Coelho, Hoshi, InC 20 Sonneurs, Jok'Air, Kid Francescoli, Labelle, Molécule, Our Lights, PJ Harvey, Roland Cristal, Santa, Simony, Sting, Trinix, Yungblud Saturday, July 13: Atoem, C'hoarezed Guélou, Caravan Palace, Charlotte de Witte, Creeds live, Dadju & Tayc, Dakh Daughters, Dixit, Grand Corps Malade, Ivarh, L'Haridon-Le Pottier, La Fève, Lagon Noir, Lala &ce, Les Vulves Assassines, Ojos, Olivia Ruiz, Rival Sons, Sierra, Skolvan, Soolking Sunday, July 14: Angélique Kidjo, Baxter Dury, Bon Entendeur, Charlotte Cardin, Chinese Man, Cxk, Djadja & Dinaz, Doria, Eddy de Pretto, Éloi, Julien Granel, Kings of Leon, Komodrag & the Mounodor, La Tène, Liraz, Maar, Simple Minds, The Blaze
2023 Thursday, July 13: Céline Dion (canceled), Robbie Williams, BigFlo & Oli, Disiz, Hyphen Hyphen, Morcheeba, Petit Biscuit, Orange Blossom Friday, July 14: Blur, Aya Nakamura, Gazo, Jeanne Added, Shaka Ponk, Ko Ko Mo, Agar Agar, Agoria, The Celtic Social Club, Meryl Saturday, July 15: Rosalía, Lomepal, Idles, Kungs, Pomme, Suzane Sunday, July 16: Soprano, Phoenix, Hot Chip, Jain, Lorenzo, Moderat, Paul Kalkbrenner, Adé, Acid Arab, Mademoiselle K Monday, July 17: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Skip the Use, Nova Twins, Silmarils, The Inspector Cluzo
2022 Thursday, July 14: Stromae, Clara Luciani, Last Train, Têtes Raides, Meute, Sch, Bianca Costa, Laeti, Vendredi sur mer Friday, July 15: DJ Snake, Angèle, Juliette Armanet, Matmatah (guest: Kevrenn Alré), Rilès, Vladimir Cauchemar, Aloïse Sauvage, Catastrophe, Dirtyphonics Live, Fatoumata Diawara, I Stand High Patrol, Saturday, July 16: -M-, Midnight Oil (substitute Queens of the Stone Age), Bob Sinclar b2b Pedro Winter, Izïa, Ninho, Vitalic, Celeste, Dewaere, Lous and the Yakusa Sunday, July 17: Orelsan, Madeon, Feu! Chatterton, Ibeyi, Metronomy, Polo & Pan, Vianney, Dinos, Contrefaçon, Gargäntua, Lolo Zouaï, Lujipeka, La Perla
2021 In July 2021, the 29th edition was limited to 5,000 attendees per day. For the first time, the fairground Ferris wheel was replaced with a single stage in front of seating. The main Glemnor and Kerouac stages were designated parking areas for vehicles, with no camping permitted. The festival lasted ten nights and featured Woodkid among other French singers.
2020 It was announced on 13 April 2020 that the 2020 edition would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even if Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, announced on 13 April that only festivals before mid-July had to be cancelled. Celine Dion was to sing on July 16 as part of her Courage World Tour for her only festival date in France (the 55,000 seats had been purchased in less than nine minutes).
2018 Thursday, July 19: Depeche Mode, Soulwax, Marquis de Sade, Olli and the Bollywood Orchestra Friday, July 20: Kygo, IAM, Liam Gallagher, Jain, Mogwai, Cœur de pirate, Portugal. The Man, Rilès, Hungry 5 feat. Worakls, N'To & Joachim Pastor, Lomepal, Therapie Taxi, Throes + The Shine, Kokoko!, Lysistrata, Altın Gün, Delgrès, La Tène, Revolutionary Birds Saturday, July 21: Gorillaz, Massive Attack, MØ, Damso, Ofenbach, Rone, Les Négresses Vertes, Yuksek, Charlotte Cardin, Young Fathers, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Rebeka Warrior, Saro, Artus, 'Ndiaz, Maria Simoglou Sunday, July 22: Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters, Fatboy Slim, Orelsan, Bigflo & Oli, Roméo Elvis, Véronique Sanson, Lorenzo, Oscar and the Wolf, Angèle, Eddy de Pretto, The Blaze, The Limiñanas, Inüit, Ÿuma, Ifriqiyya Électrique, Rizan Said Dour/Le Pottier Quartet
2017 Thursday, July 13: AllttA (20syl & Mr. J. Medeiros), Manu Chao La Ventura, Justice, Deluxe, Feder, Rocky Friday, July 14: Die Antwoord, Phoenix, Dropkick Murphys, Faada Freddy, Renaud, Kungs, MHD, Sônge, The Celtic Social Club Saturday, July 15: Arcade Fire, Jean-Michel Jarre, Kery James, Møme, Colorado, Clément Bazin Sunday, July 16: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, DJ Snake, Matmatah, Radio Elvis, Killason, Octave Noire, Acid Arab
2016
In New York City (Central Park), Summer Stage: Saturday, October 1: Matthieu Chedid (‑M-), The Avener, The Celtic Social Club (members of Red Cardell, The Silencers and others), Krismenn & Alem, Alan Corbel.
In Carhaix: Thursday, July 14: Les Insus (ex-Téléphone), The Kills, Étienne de Crécy, Guizmo, Mickey 3D, Louis-Jean Cormier, Jeanne Added, Last Train, Mansfield.TYA Friday, July 15: Pharrell Williams, Disclosure, Pixies, Michel Polnareff, Parov Stelar, Lou Doillon, Tindersticks, FIDLAR, Socalled, Dominic Sonic, Ropoporose Saturday, July 16: The Libertines, Louise Attaque, Alain Souchon and Laurent Voulzy, Suede, Ibrahim Maalouf, The Avener, Ibeyi, Hyphen Hyphen, Calypso Rose Sunday, July 17: Lana Del Rey, Major Lazer, Nekfeu, Louane, Jake Bugg, Editors, Lilly Wood and the Prick, Odesza, Denez Prigent, Jain, Sofiane Saïdi.
2015 Thursday, July 16: Muse / Brodinski / Anna Calvi / Soprano Friday, July 17: The Chemical Brothers / Christine & The Queens / Tom Jones / Archive / The Do / Caravan Palace / Boris Brejcha / Ez3kiel Saturday, July 18: The Prodigy / Tony Allen Review feat Damon Albarn / Calogero / George Ezra / Caribbean Dandee / The Strypes / The Shoes / SBTRKT Sunday, July 19: Lionel Richie / David Guetta / Joan Baez / London Grammar / Flume / Dominique A / Brigitte / The Drums / La Fine Équipe / Puts Marie
2014 Thursday, July 17: The Black Keys / Fauve / Skip the Use / Indochine / Vanessa Paradis / Christine And The Queens / Bakermat / Francois & The Atlas Mountains Friday, July 18: Stromae / Franz Ferdinand / Elton John / The Celtic Social Club / Miossec / Gesaffelstein / Tinariwen / The Same Old Band Saturday, July 19: Arctic Monkeys / Breton / Shaka Ponk / Détroit / Julien Doré / Diplo / The Red Goes Black / Falabella Sunday, July 20: Thirty Seconds To Mars / Miles Kane / Girls In Hawaii / Lily Allen / Yodelice / Etienne Daho / Ky-Mani Marley / Totorro
2013 Thursday, July 18: Rammstein, The Hives, Raphaël, Vitalic Friday, July 19: Patrick Bruel, Two Door Cinema Club, -M-, Lilly Wood and the Prick, Keny Arkana, Naive New Beaters, Paul Kalkbrenner, Rokia Traoré, Suuns, BRNS, Half Moon Run, Juveniles, Lescop, Rangleklods, Youn Sun Nah, Jacky Molard Acoustique Quartet, Elektrik Gem, Serendou Saturday, July 20: Neil Young, Asaf Avidan, Benjamin Biolay, Oxmo Puccino, Féfé, The Roots, Gentleman, Hanni El Khatib, Willy Belle, Rone, Jonathan Wilson, Superpoze, Yan Wagner, Cashmere Cat, Interzone Extended, Startijenn & El Taqa, Cansione / Grenanico, Fest-noz Sunday, July 21: Phoenix, Carlos Santana, Marc Lavoine, Lou Doillon, The Vaccines, Alt-J (∆), Charles Bradley, Mermonte, Busy P / Ed Banger Megamix, Mesparrow, La Femme, Marie-Pierre Arthur, Skip&Die, La Gale, Barzaz, La Mal Coiffée, Turbo Sans Visa, Jack Danielle's String Band28,29.
2012 Thursday: Portishead, LMFAO, Zebda, Rover, Keziah Jones, Django Django, Don Rimini, Stuck in the Sound, Beat Assailant, Breakbot, La Rumeur, Baadman, Im Takt Friday: The Cure, Martin Solveig, Thomas Dutronc, Metronomy, Brigitte, Hollie Cook, Bloc Party, M83, Youssoupha, Other Lives, Baxter Dury, Triggerfinger, El Hijo de la Cumbia, Danyèl Waro, Soïg Sibéril, Rich Aucoin, Sin Antesia, Colin Saturday: Sting, Justice, Hubert-Félix Thiéfaine, Irma, Selah Sue, C2C, Busy P(cancelled and replaced by DVNO), The Rapture, Rodrigo y Gabriela & C.U.B.A., Kiril Djaikowski (+ guests), Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside, Kanka, Balthazar, Christine, Badume's Band, Selamnesh Zemene, Blue & Black Zebra, Bobby & Sue, le dernier championnat de Air Biniou, fest-noz (with Yann-Fañch Kemener/Menneteau, Vincendeau/Felder, Boulanger/Simon, Termajik) Sunday: Bob Dylan, Gossip, Cœur de Pirate (cancelled), Chinese Man, Garbage, Orelsan, 1995, L'Ensemble Matheus, Kasabian, Amadou & Mariam, Santigold, Jesus Christ Fashion Barbe, Avishaï Cohen, Dope D.O.D., Zara Moussa, Random Recipe, Ar Rannou, Burek, Taol Lans
2011
Thursday, July 14: Scorpions, Snoop Dogg, Ar Re Yaouank, Kaiser Chiefs, Mondkopf, Yelle, Orchestre national de Barbès, Pulp, Olivia Ruiz, Jean-Louis Aubert, Adam Kesher, The Hyènes, Shaka Ponk, Julien Tiné, Le Grand Orchestre Armorigène, Stand High Patrol, Titi Robin Trio, Tremplin Taol Lans, La Canaille. Friday, July 15: Eddy Mitchell, David Guetta, M.I.A., The BellRays, Jack Johnson, Soprano, Foals, Cold War Kids, The Inspector Cluzo, Stromae, The Octopus, Systema Solar, Barrington Levy, DJ Elwood, Who Knew, Lo Cor De La Plana, Siam, Sylvain Giro, Electric Bazar, Savaty.