The Vieilles Charrues Festival (, ;, ; literally: Old Ploughs Festival) is held every year in mid-July in the city of Carhaix, western Brittany, France. This festival is the largest music festival in France, attracting more than 280,000 festival-goers every year (346,000 in 2023). This festival was created in 1992 in Landeleau, a small village in central Finistère. At that time, less than 500 revellers attended and the festival was more like a private party. The following year, the festival welcomed more than 2,000 people. In 1995, due to lack of space on the original site, the festival moved to Carhaix city centre, and in 1998—for the same reason—the festival chose a site on the outskirts of Carhaix. In October 2016, the festival organised a concert in New York City's Central Park in tribute to the many Bretons who were immigrants to the city in the nineteenth century. Each year, more than 7,000 volunteers enable the festival to be a success, with their actions in the numerous bars, restaurants, and other stands of the festival. The festival thanks them by giving money to local associations. The organisers also helped to finance Hall Glenmor, a concert hall, and to renovate the Château de Kerampuil, a castle located near the festival site.

Lineups

2023

2022

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

2017

2016

In New York City (Central Park) In Carhaix

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

July 15–18

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

July 22,23 and 24

2004

July 23,24 and 25

2003

July 14,18,19 and 20

2002

July 14,19,20 and 21

2001

July 14,20,21 and 22

2000

July 14,21,22 and 23

1999

July 13–18

1998

July 17,18 and 19

1997

July 4,5,6

1996

July 5,6 and 7 Miossec, Bernard Lavilliers, Zebda, Les Innocents, Maxime Le Forestier, Frank Black, Ouf La Puce ..., Marcel et Son Orchestre, Red Cardell, Tayfa, Boulequies et Sonotones, Ar re Yaouank, Gwenc'hlan, Oxyde de Cuivre, The Guilt.

1995

July 7–9, First Edition in Carhaix Blues Brothers, The Silencers, Red Cardell, Ar Re Yaounak, Spook & the Guay, Soul Cactus, Taraf de Haïdouks Junior, Carré Manchot, A Bout de Souffle, Ongi Etorri, Mike Hutchison, Namas Pamos.

1994

Held at Landeleau (July 5) Les Satellites, Dolly, Oy Ventilo, Les Raouls j’te Pousse, Scotch Snap, La Folyre.

1993

Landeleau (Saturday 10) Les Pires, Oy Ventilo, La Folyre, Soft Touch Band, Students Brass Band and B12

1992

Creation of fête des Vieilles Charrues as a small village event in Landeleau. No concert poster nor list available.

Stages of the festival

Glenmor

Glenmor stage is the biggest stage of the festival. It is named after Emile Le Scanff, also known as Glenmor. With a total surface area of 1,000 m², Glenmor stage is one of the largest French stages. As every other stage of the festival, Glenmor stage is set up before each occasion of the festival, and taken down after the end of the concerts.

Kerouac

Kerouac stage is the second stage of the festival. It is named after Jack Kerouac, whose ancestors were from Brittany.

Grall

Grall stage is the third stage of the festival and is named after Xavier Grall. Hip-hop and electronic music artists often play on this stage.

Gwernig

The smallest stage of the festival, Gwernig, is located under a circus tent. It is named after the Breton-American poet Youenn Gwernig. Concerts on Gwernig stage are traditionally held by Breton music and world music bands.