The announcement of KISS as Hellfest's first headliner on last November 23 was posted with a bang (or should we rather say with a boom)! Not only KISS were going to perform as part of a festival in France for the first time in their career, but fans from the Hexagon would also have to make the trip to Clisson, Hellfest having the exclusivity of the band's coming in our country! That required some explanations, and Ben Barbaud, one of the festival's promoters, gives them to us...
- Hi Ben. First of all, THE question all the French fans want to ask you. How did you manage to get KISS at Hellfest? It is by far the most major act the festival has ever had, isn’t it?
American bands now tour Europe every summer to participate in big festivals. They know it is a great opportunity to play in front of many people, make more money in little time, and have a more profitable tour. More and more festivals are being organized throughout Europe, which creates competition and bigger paychecks for the performers.
The Hellfest is only 5 years young, and its attendance has doubled year by year. Today, we are at 20,000 people per day. We are part of the “Hard rock metal Festival” club with 4 or 5 others in Europe. We’ve had several offers from booking agencies and we have decided to go with KISS this year. Everything was decided very quickly, which is unusual, the negotiations were brief and the tour was soon confirmed.
Several French festivals were also interested, but the band decided to do the Hellfest only. We now have a solid reputation of being well-run and organized. This was not always the case… And of course, we made an offer which was in par with the band’s stature. To make a long story short, I got a call at the end of November that it was a done deal and that KISS would confirm its European Tour two days later. It was really a smooth transaction, which is not the necessarily the standard when dealing with a major act.
KISS is our biggest band in the history of the festival. Hellfest is unlike the other big events, such as Graspop, Wacken or Dowload, we’re a local, family-run festival, limited to 20,000 people, while the others go up to 50-60,000. We do not have the same financial back-up or ambitions, but you don’t need binoculars to see the bands! You can be front row without much hassle in 5 minutes. We intend to keep this congenial spirit, as this is a festival for the fans by fans!
- I don’t know about the other promoters, but I was told that you, Ben, are a big KISS fan. The day you got the OK, you must have been really proud!...
I’m a fan of many bands of many different styles, you know. I love variety, and I can only hope for hardcore fans of one genre to open to more genres. I am comfortable saying how much I love KISS as much as I love Morbid Angel. Our festival helps fans discover bands they may not know. They attend to see one, and they leave discovering many. Hard Rock is such a large family, that if I can contribute through the festival to broaden some people’s musical horizon, I’ll be able to say “Mission accomplished”.
’m a fan of many bands of many different styles, you know. I love variety, and I can only hope for hardcore fans of one genre to open to more genres. I am comfortable saying how much I love Kiss as much as I love Morbid Angel. Our festival helps fans discover bands they may not know. They attend to see one, and they leave discovering many. Hard Rock is such a large family, that if I can contribute through the festival to broaden some people’s musical horizon, I’ll be able to say “Mission accomplished”. Regarding KISS, it is a great satisfaction to have them: KISS is a legendary band, multi-generational and bonding. For Hellfest, it’s a bonanza in terms of media attention, and will help us get more spotlight. We do not benefit from any public, cultural fundings, unlike the other big French festivals. We built Hellfest from scratch, and to be able to have KISS five years later is a great accomplishment, which was made possible just by support from the people. We’re just like the audience, young and passionate about music, that’s why we have popular support! We try to promote more than a series of concert, but a whole experience, create opportunities to meet and share a passion in a friendly atmosphere.
- KISS will exclusively play in France at Hellfest. That must have been a tough negotiation…
Not at all! In KISS' case, everything was wrapped up quickly. Money talks, and Hellfest is now large enough to lure and secure big names, at least one or two, every year. But we remain committed to be a festival with various bands and styles. Having a big band draws the crowd, and this is an opportunity to promote a larger range to extreme genres. Hard rock, heavy, black metal, hardcore, stoner, rock'n'roll, punk etc. Seven of us work now full time on Hellfest. But we do not consider ourselves professional promoters who sell tickets and bands like we’d be selling used cars or something. We want to be involved in the cultural dimension, too. Help these genres by setting up support, infrastructures for promotion of the music. They are pretty much ignored by the French media (radio, mass media), but they have an audience. Spreading this genre will help France catch up with the rest of the world. We often hear France is not a country for rock'n'roll, that bands skip playing here, and so forth. There is no action or support. We aim to change all that.
Going back to KISS playing only at Hellfest. KISS could barely fill half of Bercy (
two-thirds would be more accurate, Ben!), a big risk for a promoter to pay so much money and lose more money. Only a festival can afford a big band.
- If you don’t mind me asking, how much did it cost Hellfest to get KISS?
You’ll understand that I cannot disclose the exact amount we pay the artists, but it is quite significant. I can barely believe how much when I think back about the days when I used to book bands in local pubs 10 years ago and pay them a whopping 500 Euros! KISS is a legendary band, famous for its massive shows. They offer a unique experience and there is a cost to that. But I don’t mind paying this much if I know people will have their money’s worth. The band will close three days of festivals, topping 120 bands, KISS will be the climax of our 2010 edition.
- The festival site is under construction, including a larger stage. Is that because of KISS?
Absolutely! We spared no effort to make sure they offer the best show. When they play indoors, they set up their own stage, whereas in a festival they have to work with what they have. In order to produce their full show, we have decided to upgrade our current stage which will be huge, so they can set up the same production. And since we’re outdoors, there will be some extras, like big fireworks, etc. KISS fans can be sure the festival show will be as good as an arena show.
People’s perception of festivals is not always positive, but there is much more freedom than indoors. No reserved seating, you can wander around, go from stage to stage, stop at all the bars, check out the stalls (selling records). We had 50 different nationalities last year. There is more than music to a festival, it is an experience that does not compare with an arena show as it is too short. A festival is the full package.
- The upcoming tour is supposed to break with the Alive 35/tour and kick off the Sonic Boom Tour. Do you have any info about a new stage show or a different set list?
We didn’t get all the info, let’s just say we have the outline! But you can expect a big production, with tons of pyro, lifts, video screens, etc. And probably massive fireworks at the end, as it was the case with Manowar last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVH6zT1X6wg
- Are there going to be any preliminary visits from the Production Team on site?
KISS' Tour Manager is also Mötley Crüe's, so he was here last year when Mötley Crüe played at Hellfest. He knows our team, and the site well, so I don’t expect his visit. However, we expect many phone calls from the KISS camp to confirm every demand they have is met!
- KISS has a massive pyrotechnical set-up. Does that force you to increase security?
Not really. Using pyrotechnics outdoors is easier than indoors. That’s where security is very strict. Many bands use pyro at Hellfest and we have enough space to accommodate fireworks.
- How many people do you foresee will show up this year?
Well, we hope to be sold out like last year, in other words: 20,000 people per day. We’re off to a good start: we’ve already sold twice as many tickets compared to last year at the same period. A lot of people are waiting to hear the latest additions to the bill before buying their tickets, and others are waiting when the one-day tickets go on sale (Feb. 26). We’re optimistic!
We kept the best for last and the last headliner will please many fans. Let’s just say that KISS won’t be the only legendary band at Hellfest. All the fans from all ages and musical genres will be pleased.
- Since you’re a KISS fan, what is your top 5 of KISS albums?
My favorite is "Destroyer", hands down! After that, in no particular order let’s say "Dressed To Kill", "Lick It Up", "Rock And Roll Over" and the latest one, "Sonic Boom", which is refreshing and very rock'n'roll ! I’ve missed many albums and I’m not fond of all the discography, I prefer the raw and Rock and Roll side of the band!
- Any last words for DN members and readers?
We hope to see many of you. Dress appropriately! The last KISS concert in France two years ago was so-so in terms of attendance (one of the poorest in Europe), so I hope this year we can honor the band and its French fans.
Thank you Ben! June 20: we’ll be there!
*Interview by Fred Vehert, translated in English by Alain Bellicha
Hellfest's Website: http://www.hellfest.fr/index.php
Hellfest's Last.fm: http://www.lastfm.fr/event/1116339+Hellfest+2010
Hellfest's Twitter: http://twitter.com/HELLFESTopenair
Hellfest's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hellfest
Hellfest's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/hellfestopenair
Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick held a record release party at the KISS Coffeehouse last weekend. Bruce sent KISSonline the following note:
Only ET is behind the scenes with legendary rockers Kiss on their first-ever Dr. Pepper Super Bowl commercial -- featuring Mini Kiss!
Kiss fans who saw the rock band on their 2009 US tour had the chance to take the show home with them in their back pockets when they walked out of the venue.
I'm a huge KISS fan since '79 (with "Dynasty" album)! After all these years of loyalty to KISS, I'm proud to announce the birth of my KISS broadcast - 'KISSIN' TIME' (started January 5, 2010). It is located in a small region of France (Bourgogne) and presented by myself on RADIO MORVAN 95.8.
