Rock en Seine 2024: Day 4 with Massive Attack, The Kills... we were there, we tell you all about it

The more the days go by, the more the end of Rock en Seine 2024 seems inevitable. While the 5th and final day of the Paris region festival is scheduled for Sunday August 25, with headliners including PJ Harvey, Pixies and LCD Soundsystem, festival-goers had another great time on Saturday August 24.

On this fourth day, rock was back after a more electro and hip-hop-oriented Friday. Older festival-goers were also more numerous in the aisles. While some took the opportunity to discover the photo exhibition featuring live music and sporting competition, others were able to discover wheelchair basketball in the 'Fair Play' area, dedicated to encounters and introductions to Paralympic sports. This year, Rock en Seine has been awarded the Cultural Olympiad label and is offering a series of events linked to the Paralympic Games. This Sunday, the Paralympic flame is scheduled to pass through the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud.

In the meantime, the music continues to resonate on the site of the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud, and the festival offered the public a very fine fourth day. Saturday August 24 kicked off with Sleater-Kinney. Programmed on the Grande Scène, the girls are a little too rare in France for our liking. So, thanks to Rock en Seine for inviting them this year!

A riot grrrl band formed in 1994 in the famous town of Olympia, Washington, USA, Sleater-Kinney had a prolific early career, releasing 6 albums between 1995 and 2002. Then, between 2007 and 2013, the band co-founded by Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein split up before finally reforming in 2014. 10 years later, Sleater-Kinney unveil their 11th opus,"Little Rope", at Rock en Seine.

What we love? Their style, which ranges from the punky rock of their early days to the more polished rock of recent years. And then, of course, there's Corin Tucker 's incredibly powerful voice, harmoniously blended with Carrie Brownstein's more strident rock. Together, the two artists are stronger than ever. On stage, Carrie Brownstein shakes, hops and waltzes her leg, especially on the hit " Jumpers ". Corin Tucker is more discreet, but not shy. In fact, the singer and musician finished the beautiful song " Untidy Creature " (the last track of the set) in front of the barrier facing the audience, while her four other acolytes remained to play on stage.

We'll be back at the Grande Scène to see one of France's most popular duos: The Kills. After a concert at the Gaîté Lyrique in November 2023 and a show at the Olympia last May, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince are back at Rock en Seine to give us a good dose of rock. What can we say about this band's performance? The complicity between the two artists remains as strong as ever. It was a lovely moment when Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince sat side by side at the front of the stage to finish the song " Baby Says ". The hits were there too. These included the catchy " U.R.A. Fever ", the heady " Black Balloon " and the powerful " Doing It to Death ". The energy was also there, with Alison Mosshart striding across the stage like a caged lioness. In short, a dynamic and successful set!

Next, head to the Scène de la Cascade for a leap back in time with Blonde Redhead. Formed in 1993 around Japanese-born singer Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace, New York-based Blonde Redhead distills a skilful blend of dream pop and noise rock. This Saturday, the trio delivered a melodic, spellbinding set, where we loved hearing again several tracks from their opus"23", the band's best album in our opinion. From the excellent single " 23 " to " SW ", from " Dr. Strangeluv " to " Spring and by Summer Fall "... Blonde Redhead took us back in time, 17 years ago, under the visibly conquered eyes of The Kills, present at the side of the stage.

Unfortunately for Blonde Redhead, the rain - which had already fallen during The Kills' show - picked up again during their set. But it took more than that to scare festival-goers away. K-Ways and ponchos were out in force, while Kazu Makino seemed so hot she took off her shirt.

After Blonde Redhead's lovely set, we head off in the direction of the Grande Scène to meet Californians The Offspring. On the way, we spotted Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince heading for Major Tom's record shop. The Kills duo were eagerly awaited for an exclusive signing session. And there were plenty of fans lining up to get their vinyl signed.

• To be read
• Rock en Seine 2024: Day 3 with Soulwax, Jungle, Fred Again... we were there, we tell you all about it
• Rock en Seine 2024: Day 2 with Måneskin, Gossip... we were there, we tell you all about it
• Rock en Seine 2024: Day 1 with Lana Del Rey, Apple.... we were there, we tell you all about it

On the Main Stage, The Offspring have already begun their set. As they arrive, Dexter Holland, Noodles and the others cover the Ramones' excellent " Blitzkrieg Bop ", before playing several of their unmissable hits, including " Bad Habit ", with confetti thrown in, " Gotta Get Away ", " Why Don't You Get a Job? ", " Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) ", " The Kids Aren't Alright " and, last but not least, " Self Esteem " to round off their set in style. Live, the exchanges between Dexter Holland and Noodles are numerous and sometimes tend to lose us. Dexter Holland's voice isn't always quite right either. But no matter, the hits and the good mood are there to make us spend a cheerful and festive moment!

We stay on the Grande Scène for Massive Attack's eagerly-awaited set. And it's fair to say that 3D (Robert Del Naja) and Daddy G (Grant Marshall) - the founders of the British trip hop band - are regulars on the site. Of course, they took part in the first edition of the Ile-de-France festival in 2003, as well as their memorable concert in 2010. Anyone who has ever attended a Massive Attack live show will know that every performance is a spellbinding experience. And this latest concert at Rock en Seine was no exception. Once again, Massive Attack paid as much attention to image as to sound.

On the visual side, 3D - sporting an armband reading "Palestine" - and Daddy G have multiplied their militant messages in several videos, denouncing conflicts around the world, notably the war in Ukraine and the bombardments in Gaza, but also the arms race and conspiracy theories.

As for the music, Massive Attack has drawn on its rich and varied discography to offer us some incredible musical moments, enhanced by the presence of several guests. From Young Fathers on " Gone " and " Voodoo in My Blood " to Deborah Miller on " Safe From Harm " and the essential " Unfinished Sympathy ", Horace Andy on " Girl I Love You " and the mythical " Angel ", not forgetting the talented Elizabeth Fraser, who brilliantly interprets the moving " Black Milk ", the Tim Buckley cover " Song to the Siren ", the mythical " Teardrop " and the sublime " Group Four ".

In the end, Massive Attack won us over and challenged us with a set of masterful musical beauty, deeply committed and militant.

Rock en Seine continues and ends this Sunday, August 25 with Zaho de Sagazan, Ghinzu, PJ Harvey, Pixies and LCD Soundsystem!

Rock en Seine 2024: 5 bands not to be missed this Sunday, August 25
Rock en Seine is back! The famous Parisian festival returns to the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud from Wednesday August 21 to Sunday August 25, 2024 with a bevy of concerts to discover over 5 consecutive days. So, what are the must-see artists on stage this Sunday? Here are 5 bands not to be missed this Sunday, August 25, 2024, in the west of Paris for this new edition of Rock en Seine. [Read more]

Rock en Seine 2025: Chappell Roan, London Grammar... the first names
After a great edition in 2024, the Rock en Seine festival will be back in 2025 with five days of not-to-be-missed festivities on Wednesday August 20, Thursday August 21, Friday August 22, Saturday August 23 and Sunday August 24 at the Domaine national du Parc de Saint-Cloud. On the program? The phenomenon Chappell Roan for his only concert in France, as well as the British band London Grammar and the Englishwoman Suki Waterhouse... Discover these artists on the bill for the very first evening of Rock en Seine, 2025 edition. [Read more]

Relive the first three days of Rock en Seine 2024!

Rock en Seine 2024: Day 1 with Lana Del Rey, Apple.... we were there, we tell you all about it
For its 2024 edition, Rock en Seine has pulled out all the stops, with no fewer than 5 evenings of festivities. The event kicked off on Wednesday August 21 with headliner Lana Del Rey. For her only summer date in France, the artist put on a flamboyant show, with an ultra-polished decor and hits galore. Here's a look back at the first day of Rock en Seine, which also featured sets from Towa Bird and Pomme. [Read more]

Rock en Seine 2024: Day 2 with Måneskin, Gossip... we were there, we tell you all about it
Second day of Rock en Seine at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud! Definitely more rock than the first, Thursday August 22 brought us back to the youth of yesteryear with performances by Gossip, The Hives and Kasabian. We can't forget the set by Italians Måneskin, the infectious energy of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, and our favorite The Last Dinner Party! Here's a look back at an excellent day at Rock en Seine on August 22, 2024. [Read more]

Rock en Seine 2024: Day 3 with Soulwax, Jungle, Fred Again... we were there, we tell you all about it
A third day of Rock en Seine, 2024 edition! While fatigue began to show on some faces, the festivities continued this Friday, August 23 at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud with British rapper Loyle Carner, the Jungle project which mixes dance and funk, English producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Fred Again, not forgetting the Belgians from Soulwax who delivered an explosive set! Let's take a look back at Friday August 23, 2024 at Rock en Seine. [Read more]