La Route du Rock 2018: Festival Preview

Fort de Saint-Père, an 18th-century fort on the outskirts of the former pirate stronghold Saint-Malo on France’s northwest coast (a mere pebble’s skim across the Channel from Portsmouth), will be invaded by the La Route du Rock festival in August, showcasing a stellar selection of established and emerging artists. Here are The Skinny’s ten picks for who to catch storming the venue’s 18th-century ramparts with a handy playlist at the foot of the page to get you in the mood. If it's not displayling correctly click here.

Charlotte Gainsbourg
Gainsbourg’s balance of moving melancholy and dirty disco on her 2017 record Rest (a ubiquitous entry on the year’s ‘best albums’ lists) was so deftly handled that her live performance will be nothing if not intriguing to see how she brings it to life before a crowd to the same effect.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre
If psychedelic rabbit holes are where you find solace in life, be assured that the prolific Californian rockers will inundate you with beguiling opportunities to escape down them. Come for their tambourine affinity, stay for frontman Anton Newcombe’s monstrous mutton chops.

Nils Frahm
The German musician and composer will provide a mellow and reflective set for La Route du Rock’s halfway point, with his gossamer woven fusion of minimal electronica and piano. To quote the man himself: “I’m interested in how human beings react in certain situations, and what music does to people’s emotions.”

Patti Smith
A chance to see ‘punk’s poet laureate’ in the flesh. Smith came into the public eye in 1975 with her debut album Horses and her melding of punk-rock and poetry, which is still considered the finest of its kind. The rarest of breeds.

Superorganism
How can witnessing eight chromatically-clad art-poppers woo an audience with their unassuming demeanour, effect-heavy soundscapes and vivid visuals not be an absolute treat? Trust us when we say you'll have songs like SPRORGNSM, The Prawn Song, Something For Your M.I.N.D. and Everybody Wants to Be Famous stuck in your head for days after.

Föllakzoid
All the way from Chile, Föllakzoid’s late night set will be just the ticket to launch the crowd into the cosmos with their hypnotic krautrock, heavily influenced by Andean musical culture. If you end up floating off into the heavens, we take no responsibility.

Shame
South London post-punk outfit Shame are riding high on the waves of their debut album’s release, the immensely titled Songs of Praise. Although they may still be young on the scene, they bring in tow a reputation for being fuelled by fire, hefty guitar and a fierce thirst for justice.

Grizzly Bear 
2017 saw the Brooklyn art-rock group return from a five year recording hiatus with Painted Ruins. Heralded for their intricately instrumented, vocally harmonious and sonically arresting live performances, catch them quick before they bolt back into hibernation.

The Limiñanas 
Neo-psychedelia, yé-yé, new-wave pop, garage-rock revivalists; harness the French duo’s sound however you feel most comfortable, but just be prepared for all of the above and more.

Jungle
The London neo-soul group will get your butt grooving from their first notes, promising to lure you into a cushy cocoon with their falsetto vocals. Their set on the festival’s ultimate eve will leave you cheesing from ear-to-ear and salivating for the release of their upcoming sophomore album due on 14 September via XL Recordings.

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La Route du Rock takes place 16-19 August 2018; Brittany Ferries sail from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, bus transfers to the festival site are available