24 Août Rock en Seine Day 1: Nell Mescal, Towa Bird, and Rachel Chinouriri set the stage before Lana Del Rey’s Late Performance

Recap of Wednesday, August 21

Just like last year, the opening day of Rock en Seine features an all-female lineup with a major headliner. Following the incredible Billie Eilish from last year, it’s now Lana Del Rey‘s turn to grace the stage at the Domaine National de Saint Cloud. But before the closing act, the spotlight is on three highly promising British artists: Nell Mescal, Towa Bird, and Rachel Chinouriri.

Nell Mescal kicks off the event on the Firestone Stage (the only small stage open on Wednesday). Though she’s Irish (a slight deviation from the British theme!), she delivers a delightful indie pop-folk set, perfect for starting the day. At just 21 years old, the Maynooth native showcases her debut EP, Can I Miss It for a Minute?, along with other captivating tracks like « Drive, » « Falling Apart, » and « Homesick. » Nell is thrilled to be there, the crowd is engaged, and the atmosphere is fantastic.

Next up is Towa Bird, who takes on the challenge of performing on the Grande Scène. Her rock set, featuring tracks like « Bills » and « Drain Me, » along with a cover of Blur‘s « Song 2, » injects a burst of energy into a day dominated by emotional music. Despite the absence of a bass guitar, the dual-guitar and drum setup delivers a powerful performance. At 25, Towa Bird confirms the admiration from Billie Eilish and Tyler the Creator, as well as the support from Olivia Rodrigo, who previously brought her on stage.

Rachel Chinouriri then returns to the Firestone Stage. Also 25, the English artist uses music as a remedy for her emotional struggles. Her fanbase is growing, and her recognition is increasing. Her setlist includes fan favorites like « Robbed » and « So My Darling, » which resonate with the audience. After performing at Glastonbury and TRNSMT this year, she’ll be at Reading & Leeds this weekend! Rock en Seine has made a great choice in bringing her to France for the first time, along with the other two performers. Definitely one to watch in the coming years!

Lastly, a few words about the other artists, even if they aren’t British. Pomme delivered a set that perfectly matched the day’s theme, engaging the crowd in the process. These performances were ideal preludes to a late-arriving Lana Del Rey (surprising?), who unfortunately disappointed on all fronts. The festival suffered as a result, with halted transportation, closed storage facilities, and frustrated festival-goers. Ah, the challenges of dealing with stars…

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