23 Août Rock en Seine Day 2: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and The Last Dinner Party Showcase Their Talent

Recap of Thursday, August 22

After a first day full of discoveries (and disappointment, right Lana Del Rey?), we’re back at Rock en Seine for a day that promises to be very exciting. Representing the UK today, we have The Last Dinner Party, Kasabian, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Soft Launch, and The Scratch.

We kick off on the Grande Scène with The Last Dinner Party, here to promote their stunning debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy. Opening a Thursday can be challenging, but not today: the site is already packed! The band is rapidly rising in popularity, and it’s easy to see why. The album’s hits are a delight live, with everything perfectly in place. There’s a simplicity and presence without excess. They also debuted two very promising new tracks, and we can guarantee they will be excellent! Now, we just have to wait for their next dates in Paris and Lyon!

Our second British act is none other than the one and only Frank Carter, accompanied by his loyal Rattlesnakes. Performing on the Scène Cascade this time, the band offers a subtle mix of energetic hits and the beautiful, calmer tracks from their latest album, Dark Rainbow. What can we say about Man of the Hour or Can I Take Your Home? They are a delight live! The set is well-polished, with Carter even singing around the circle pit, leaving us drenched by the end! However, the security staff seemed unaccustomed to crowdsurfing, which didn’t sit well with Frank, who didn’t hesitate to express his frustration…

Now, it’s Kasabian’s turn on the Grande Scène, with Sergio Pizzorno now at the helm. His charisma quickly makes us forget the band’s earlier days, as he and his bandmates continue to deliver. The setlist is packed with hits like L.S.F., Fire, Underdog, which blend well with their latest tracks like Italian Horror and Coming Back to Me Good. The set flew by so quickly; so many other great tracks could have been played! Perhaps the time slot (or stage?) wasn’t ideal, but it’s hard to say… Still, it was a pleasure to see them again!

Next, we have two more acts to discover, starting with Soft Launch. Previously seen opening for Declan McKenna, the band took the Firestone Stage and brought a bit of calm to this rock-heavy day. Among the members is Josh McClorey, formerly of The Strypes, who, along with his bandmates, offers a mix of indie rock and psychedelic touches. We highly recommend checking out their single Cartwheels, which is definitely worth your time.

Finally, let’s close with The Scratch. Irish (yes, we know, we’re bending the rules), this quartet turned out to be a delightful surprise. From the very first notes of their entrance music, festival-goers rushed to the Firestone Stage and began dancing before the band even arrived! With a hint of Dropkick Murphys, their sound is a perfect blend of traditional Irish music and punchy rock. The energy was infectious, the crowd was fully engaged, and we can’t help but applaud this excellent artist selection!

A few words on the other acts: there were several disappointments, starting with Dead Poet Society, particularly due to the sound quality (though it improved just in time for Frank Carter). They’re much better in the studio… As for The Hives, the usual banter is getting tiresome, and the days of mosh pits seem far behind us… Fortunately, the unique Teezo Touchdown quickly reinvigorated us with a completely wild set. For those who missed it, make sure to listen right away, unlike Gossip who… well, did what Gossip does. To wrap up, Måneskin delivered some great moments during their set, with lighting effects that made a huge difference, but the headliner slot for 1.5 hours seemed a bit too ambitious.

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