A game of musical chairs at the Zénith de Rouen during the 2022 Ascension weekend. The Rouen Reggae Town XXL passes the torch to the Trappe Trappe Festival. Let’s go for 4 evenings of urban music concerts!

An end… and a beginning. The fifth and last festival Rouen Reggae Town XXL is being held on May 25 and 26, 2022 at the Zénith de Rouen. the Trappe-Trappe Festival takes over on May 27 and 28, for an exceptional musical weekend, a cocktail of reggae, rap, hip-hop and a hint of electro. Same scene, same producer: the Rouennais Volume.

It’s the reggae scene that opens the ball. Rouen Reggae Town’s 2022 program is a kind of best of with Danakil, Tairo and Biga*Ranxpresent during the first editions in 2014 and 2015, and “new” ones like the collective of beatmakers The Surroundloop. The international is represented by Sum Traggamuffin princess.

The Reggae Town festival was born from the initiative of Dieppe singer Naâman and his Rouen counterpart Scars. Both had the ambition to create a musical event with reggae vibrations. Five editions took place in Dieppe, two in Le Havre and four in Rouen, at the famous Bateau ivre, rue des Sapins. Then the festival grew to become “XXL” at the Zénith de Rouen in 2014.

“Naâman made his first Zénith during the first festival in 2014, the same for Big Flo & Oli in 2015”

Olivier Borowy, volume producer

Rouen Reggae Town has seen the growth of the big names of the French urban scene. ” Naâman made his first Zénith during the first festival in 2014, same for Big Flo & Oli in 2015 “, develops Olivier Borowy, producer of Volume. ” All good things come to an end says the producer. ” It was a great human adventure to which many Rouennais and Normans joined “. Thus the Rouen Reggae Town XXL is retiring… Make way for young people!

” We are witnessing a rap scene that breaks free from the codes of the music industry. It’s been going strong for four years », explains Olivier Borowy, “ the musical aesthetic of rap has changed and also offers it “, he adds.

Only one scene, so choices had to be made. Two artists from Rouen have been selected: The rapper R’Mayfinalist of the last regional BuzzBooster, and the artist Youneswho recently gained notoriety thanks to his performance in the series Funny on Netflix. But also Gasoline, O boy, Luidjior Timal… and a small electro gap with the producer DJ Vladimir Nightmarefor the first time in Rouen.

” It’s a trial run enthuses Olivier Borowy. One day pass €39 for Rouen Raggae Town XXL, €42 for Trappe Trappe Festival! Doors open at 5 p.m. Wednesday May 25… End of the festival on the night of Saturday to Sunday.