The Festival of Humanity Kicks Off
As is tradition every second weekend of September, the Festival of Humanity has officially opened its doors, and we are here to share the excitement of the very first day. Just like last year, we donned our best walking shoes (though perhaps not the most practical) and packed our bags, ready to traverse the now dry grounds of Base 217. The inaugural day—more accurately, the first afternoon—was spent at the Joséphine Baker stage, where we eagerly anticipated performances by Sam Sauvage and Ino Casablanca.
Sam Sauvage: A Stormy Performance Awaits
To be candid, we did not manage to catch the entirety of Sam Sauvage's set. Some might attribute this to our unfortunate shoe choice, while others could point fingers at the crowds and transportation delays. Nonetheless, there was no reason for despair because we will have the opportunity to see Sam perform again at his upcoming show at the Olympia, so all is well. Upon our arrival, we found the atmosphere electric, with the performance already in full swing and a lively audience gathered around. Sam Sauvage is a character like no other, reminiscent of a Tim Burton cartoon or perhaps a 1950s film. Sporting a shirt, a tie, tousled hair, and a powerful voice, he captivated the crowd on stage.
Sam's performance combines elements of Bashung with an abundance of poetry and self-deprecating humor. He delivered a unique weather report, announcing a storm warning for humanity, dramatically portraying a world overshadowed by apocalypse. The audience remained spellbound as he performed "A Cry in the Metro," a poignant piece that expresses the pain of an overlooked homeless individual in public transport. He concluded his set with "The End of the World," which, contrary to its title, invited the audience to dance along to an upbeat melody, leaving a joyful mark on our first concert of this 2026 edition.
In the evening, the highly anticipated concert on the Joséphine Baker stage was none other than that of Ino Casablanca. The crowd swelled as fans rushed to the front, creating an electric atmosphere. Admittedly, our familiarity with Ino Casablanca was limited to a few popular tracks like "BISSAP DU 20ÈME" and some viral TikTok videos, making this a thrilling discovery for us. Through snippets of information gathered throughout the day, we learned that Ino was born in Spain, of Moroccan descent, and grew up in France. This multicultural background contributes to a sound that is truly unique, blending Spanish and Arabic influences with lovely melodies and a sense of community.
On stage, Ino performed tracks from his two recent EPs, including "CLUBMASTER," and the audience enthusiastically cheered his name, Ino Whitehouse, a playful nod that requires a bit of language knowledge to fully appreciate. The hour spent with Ino transformed the festival into a vibrant musical carnival, filled with energy and joy.
As the evening drew to a close, we must apologize for the slight detour we are about to take, as the Drag Race show is not strictly music. However, featuring talents like Mami Watta and Soa de Muse meant we couldn't resist. The Drag Race performance was specially designed for the festival, showcasing the five Queens from the five seasons of Drag Race France: Elips, Kam Hugh, Misty Phoenix, Mami Watta, and Soa de Muse. They delivered a legendary show filled with exhilarating lip-syncs, sparkling outfits, and stunning choreography!
As the clock struck 11:40 PM, the show concluded, signaling the end of our first day at the festival, allowing us a brief moment to rest before diving into the excitement of day two.
As reported by rocknfool.net.
