Feros Festival: a dive into underground culture and the world of electronic music

The event is confidential, "underground." Little or no communication beforehand. Nor are there any signs to help you reach the secret site, deep in the forest, nearly a kilometer as the crow flies from the village of Aups. The precise GPS coordinates are sent to festival-goers a few hours before the gates open. The Feros Festival aims to be discreet, very discreet.

The festival is organized by Feros Records, "a structure that aims to promote music, and more broadly art in all its forms, with a particular sensitivity for the techno universe and electronic music in general" , describe Sébastien, Cyril, and Alex (1), three of the members of the collective, on site.

Passionate people whose paths crossed nearly twelve years ago now. "We all gravitated towards more or less underground musical projects," explains Sébastien. Between them, the alchemy works, "as if it were obvious."

Little by little, the acolytes regrouped, formed an association— "to stay on track" —and pooled their energies. Since then, through their label, the collective has been producing musical projects centered around techno. And, at the same time, organized this festival.

After two first editions in February 2020 and May 2024, Feros is back all weekend, with a closing event scheduled for this Sunday, June 1st, to a sold-out crowd.

"It's not a rave"

Unlike a "free party," the gathering is permitted. And organized according to the rules, on a private 11-hectare plot of land, loaned free of charge for the occasion. The capacity was deliberately set at 500 people, including volunteers, to maintain a human dimension. And a community dimension, in the best sense of the word.

"With this event, we wanted to create a festival dedicated to electronic music in its entirety." A festive universe in its own right around musical styles that are "less 'hard' than in other events dedicated to hard techno, with more organic, even hypnotic and meditative sounds. A creative musical energy that is rarely found in the underground scene in France," they assure.

From Friday until Sunday evening, no fewer than 25 artists are welcomed on site, "in musical styles ranging from ambient to techno, including reggae, dub, and Afro music." Mixes, live instrumentals, live machines... A real musical melting pot.

"The Feros Festival is a bit like a lab," Cyril adds. "In the sense that we're part of a form of sonic exploration. And a social one too, perhaps." But let's be clear: "Here, we're not at a rave. It's a party first and foremost. Even if we intend to maintain this spirit of "let's live happily, let's live hidden." Because we don't want to cause any problems. And we don't want anyone to cause any problems either."

The event is designed to be intergenerational. And on-site, it's clear that this is indeed the case. From the first sounds, bodies come alive in front of the stage, bringing together different profiles.

Festival-goers dressed in offbeat, colorful outfits, like young people in jeans and "clean" white shirts. Also, forty-somethings, fifty-somethings. And even ninety-somethings—the grandparents of a member of the collective—quietly settled in comfortable armchairs, to the side.

"It's the first time we've come. We were curious to see what our grandson is organizing. The first thing that struck us was the hours of work that went into building all this. And then it's beautiful to see these people dancing, all this life," they said, their eyes shining.

There was definitely life and energy on Friday night. And that's exactly what Feros intends to catalyze. "A synergy between the participants," Sébastien emphasizes.

All this without doing anything. With a real ethic, respecting the environment: "Glass is prohibited on the site. And we sort all the trash." But also a code of good conduct, "with a secure and safe environment that leaves room for difference, in kindness. For us, it is important that people who come here do not feel judged."

1. First names have been changed.

A site built from scratch

As the festivities begin, the organization seems perfectly organized. The first festival-goers set off along a dirt track leading to the heart of the festival. Some come from Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

After showing their credentials, the vehicles head toward designated parking lots. Little by little, tents spring up like mushrooms in the designated camping areas. The serious stuff can begin.

It took a year of work to get to this point. The entire site was built from scratch by the collective's "little hands." And completed in a week.

"Apart from the electricity supply, we didn't use any outside contractors. Even the sound system was specially designed for the occasion." A colossal undertaking that inspires respect.

Various stands are scattered here and there: prevention around risk reduction and narcotics, clothing, snacks... As well as chill-outs and other "cushioned" rest areas.

Two different stages have taken up residence in the heart of the forest. One of them is a seven-meter-high wooden structure, covered in LED lights, representing a wolf's head, the structure's emblem.

Colorful visual animations created by various video jockey (VJ) artists are projected onto it. Everything comes to life in perfect symbiosis with the sound. "We make the images dance!" smiles one of them.

The dance floor is accessed by passing through a luminous, self-supporting bamboo "tunnel." Next to the impressive stage structure, two smaller, mechanized wolf heads nonchalantly move about.

All around, the foliage and treetops are crisscrossed by a laser show. To say it's a feast for the eyes would be an understatement. It's spectacular. Magical. "We make the wolf howl!" smiles Sébastien.

Enough to keep nearly 500 people dancing until the end of the night. While we wait, no doubt, for a 4th edition next year.