Founded in 2006 by Benjamin Barbaud, Hellfest is an unmissable event on the heavy metal calendar, taking place every year in Clisson, Loire-Atlantique during the month of June. For three days, over 150 hard rock, gothic rock, heavy metal, black metal, death metal and hardcore punk bands come to perform on the seven stages set up for the occasion. The Hellfest festival has featured the biggest names on the international and French metal scenes. These include Scorpions, Guns'n'Roses, ZZ Top, Deftones, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Deep Purple, Megadeth, Sepultura, Slash, Alice Cooper, Motörhead, Cannibal Corpse, Anthrax and many more. Every year draws around 150,000 spectators and offers the audience an original and eclectic line-up.
Despite its name, Hellfest is not that hellish but is fact rather a good-natured festival. Many festival-goers dress up for the occasion as pink rabbits, Teletubbies, Celtic warriors or Gauls. The festival-goers have a great time coming up with the most unlikely of looks.
As well as concerts, the festival also offers diverse and varied entertainment, like dance shows with flaming jets and riders performing in the "Cross Da Cruz" skate park, installed on the site for the occasion. Designed as a monumental work of art, this skate park designed and built by Madneom Street Art Park is shaped like a giant coffin.
