Rock en Seine @ Domaine National de Saint Cloud - Paris, France
August 26th-30th 2026: Rock en Seine @ Domaine National de Saint Cloud - Paris, France
Sombr - Photos Courtesy of: Manon Pothin
Rock en Seine, one of France’s most famous festivals, took place from August 26th to August 30th for yet another memorable edition. Over the span of five days, 175,000 festivalgoers gathered to the grounds of Domaine de Saint Cloud for over 70 artists spanning different genres.
Day 1 - 26th August 2026
The first day of the festival may have started with a smaller lineup, having only five artists spread across two of the stages; it started with a bang nonetheless.
French artist Miki kicked off the festivities on the main stage, with her electro-pop sounds and an impressive set design consisting of a giant scorpion. Her stage presence was undeniable, making sure she possessed the entire catwalk and up the barricades. One unforgettable moment was her standing in the middle of the crowd to perform her song “Particule,” as fans ran in circles around her. She ended her set accompanied by her own Spider-Man, announcing her headline show at Le Zénith de Paris next November.
Ravyn Lenae then took over the main stage, bringing a different, but just as mesmerising, energy. With scaffolding on stage, Ravyn was captivating as she performed songs like “In & Out” or her massive hit “Love Me Not.” On the festival’s other stage, people got to watch French Quarter AMG, R&B artist Magi Merlin, or Sekou’s soul sounds. To make the day even better, JAIN made a surprise appearance for two performances during which she interpreted songs off her next album.
Transforming the main stage into New York, the new sensation Sombr performed for a little over an hour to dedicated fans. Many lucky ones even got to share a special moment with the artist, as he walked down the barricade to hug as many people as he could and even took the time to doodle a tattoo for a fan.
It was finally turn for Tyler The Creator’s performance. With pyrotechnics and amazing stage presence, the artist closed the day with a massive bang, leaving fans in awe.
Day 2 - 27th August 2026
Thursday started well with the Irish rising sensation Florence Road, who previously opened for Wolf Alice. The band drew a crowd on the main stage despite being the first performers of the day, getting everyone to dance and sing along, whether they were longtime fans or just discovering them. On the other stages, fans had to choose between Jean Dawson’s experimental pop and Changeline’s hyperpop.
Just as Noga Erez stepped on the main stage, the weather then took a turn with a massive downpour. No amount of rain would stop the dedicated fans from showing up: the festival’s grounds soon became a sea of umbrellas, people wearing raincoats and trash bags alike to brave the weather—a true festival experience, after all.
By the time DJO came onstage, the rain had died down, and the energy was as high as ever. The Stranger Things actor closed off his performance with his hit song “The End of Beginning” just as the sun set, creating a perfect moment for his fans.
All the way across the festival was the performance of Sam Quealy, a techno-pop artist from Australia. Mixing the aesthetics of 2000s pop and drag performances, the singer gave an electrifying show along with her dancers, one you could not take your eyes away from.
Finally, it was time for Lorde’s performance. Just a few months after her headline show in the French capital, the singer was as great as ever as she performed songs from her first and last albums alike, to the cheers of the crowd.
Day 3 - 28th August 2026
The last-minute cancellation of CMAT’s performance due to illness did not tarnish the day as the Irish band Kingfishr took over at the main stage. Kingfishr, who released their first album a year ago, already proved themselves ready to take on huge crowds. Eddie Keough, the lead singer, immediately connected with the public, walking along the barricade and sharing handshakes with them during “I Cried, I Wept.”
Further away across the festival, Biffy Clyro stepped on the Boursobank stage for their performance. The Scottish band, formed back in 1995 and a staple in rock music, delivered a powerful show to an ecstatic crowd.
Back on the main stage, it was then time for Wet Leg to take over. Lead singer Rhian Teasdale’s stage presence is no joke, capturing the entire crowd’s attention the minute she appeared from the fog. Despite a slow start, the hype only got better, especially as they performed their hit “Wet Dream,” from their eponymous first album. Soon enough, it seemed like the entire festival was here to watch their show. To make things even better, multiple sign language interpreters were present on stage, rendering the show accessible for everyone.
The Black Keys took their place shortly after, accompanied by four other musicians. The blues band captivated the audience, with a setlist ranging from their hit song “Lonely Boy” to covers from The Strooges or Willie Griffin.
Away from the main stage, Franz Ferdinand performed to a crowd of dedicated fans, many brandishing signs showcasing their love. With a theatrical entrance and an energetic, bouncy performance, the band put on an incredible show.
Tucked away on the smaller stage, TTSSFU, whose real name Tasmin Nicole Stephens, performed her shoegaze and dreampop songs. Despite a timid start to her set, the singer rapidly gained confidence thanks to an encouraging and cheerful crowd.
Finally, the main event of the day came on stage: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The legendary singer chose Rock en Seine as the closing show of his long tour, and what better place than with the dedicated French fans?
Day 4 - 29th August 2026
If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Saturday was placed under the sign of mosh pits.
Starting with Mannequin Pussy under the rain, the energy only got higher and higher throughout the day. French metal band Novelists played on the Boursobank stage. Stepping on stage with a bright pink corset and glittery makeup, lead singer Camille Contreras’s stage presence is no joke as she delivers powerful vocals. Between the pyrotechnics and the surprise appearance of Landmvrks’s lead singer, their set was nothing short of memorable.
Back on the main stage, the Lambrini Girls left a huge impression at Rock en Seine. Using their platform to denounce the rise of fascism, the band reminded everyone what punk truly means. Soon enough, several mosh pits and walls of death took place in the muddy grounds of Saint-Cloud, truly setting the tone of the day.
After the lead singer’s brief appearance with the Novelists, it was Landmvrks’ time to shine on the big stage. The tone was set before they even stepped on, with two giant statues positioned on each side of the stage. Mixing impressive visuals on the screen and a use of pyrotechnics, the French band gave a powerful show. They ended their set by announcing they would be opening for Papa Roach for their show in France, rejoicing metal fans.
Three years after their last performance at Rock en Seine, Amyl & the Sniffers came back, on the main stage this time. Lead singer Amy Taylor owned the stage, never once stopping for a break and delivering a performance worthy of riot grrrl predecessors.
Before Deftones’s performance, it felt like most of the festival showed up for the sensational Turnstile. Almost a year after their sold-out headline show in the French capital, fans were impatiently waiting for the band’s performance, from grown men to small kids. As soon as the place lit up with their trademark colourful screen, the excitement was all over the place, and soon enough the place was filled with crowdsurfers and mosh pits.
Day 5 - 30th August 2026
Sunday was without a doubt the longest-awaited day of Rock en Seine. With tickets sold out months in advance, the place was filled with people brandishing merch T-shirts for the festival’s main event: The Cure. With hours to go before the show, though, people had an array of choices and plenty of artists to see.
Just a day before his own headline show at Le Point Ephemere, Love Spells made a quick stop at the festival. Breaking into splits just as he got on stage, the dream pop American singer delivered a captivating performance, with impeccable stage presence and great engagement with the public. From his real name, Sir Taegen C’aion Harris, Love Spells has everything needed to make it big.
Slowdive, considered veterans of the shoegaze genre, performed on the main stage before being replaced by Interpol.
As the day went on, the main stage started filling up in anticipation of The Cure, and when it was finally time for the band to step on stage, the place was buzzing with anticipation. Finally, the British rock giants arrived to the cheers of the entire place. Robert Smith took his time at the beginning of the set, walking from one end of the stage to another—it seemed as though the singer was locking eyes with every one of his fans, demonstrating a shy but grateful entrance. The Cure then went on to perform for over two hours and close to 30 songs, ending the 2026 edition of the festival on a wonderful note.
All in all, Rock en Seine’s 2026 edition once again proved why the festival has become such a staple. Despite the bad weather, fans and performers alike showed up and created five days full of impeccable ambience and great memories.