Concert Fontaines DC - Festival of Escales du Cargo

📍 Ancient Theatre of Arles

▪️ iDzia installation: sound, light, structure

The Escales du Cargo festival opened in style this year with an electrifying performance by Irish band Fontaines D.C. Taking place in the magnificent Ancient Theatre of Arles, the first evening was marked by a passionate crowd and a raw, poetic energy that only Fontaines D.C. can deliver. Under the open summer sky, the atmosphere was electric, and the audience responded with unwavering enthusiasm, setting the tone for the rest of the festival.

Fontaines D.C., now a major name in the international post-punk scene, delivered a powerful and uncompromising set. With the intense stage presence of lead singer Grian Chatten and the layered, driving guitars, the band’s latest album Romance came to life in this historic setting. Their music, emotional and unapologetically bold, took on a new resonance against the ancient stone backdrop. The contrast between their contemporary sound and the timeless architecture of the theatre created an unforgettable experience.

For this special evening, iDzia was proud to once again support the Cargo de Nuit in this exceptional venue. Our team handled the full technical installation: stage structure, sound system, and lighting design. Every element was carefully planned to respect the unique constraints of the site while enhancing the band’s creative direction. The Ancient Theatre of Arles, with its demanding acoustics and monumental scale, offers both a challenge and an inspiration. Finding the balance between amplification and fidelity, between lighting and subtlety, between structure and preservation — that’s the essence of our work in spaces like this.

This opening night set the tone for what promises to be a standout edition. The Escales du Cargo, a major fixture in Arles’ cultural landscape, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Cargo de Nuit this year — a beloved music venue and cultural hub. The 2025 lineup brings together internationally acclaimed artists and bold new talents, all performing in one of the region’s most iconic historic landmarks.

We’re proud to contribute to the success of this unique event by bringing our technical expertise to both the artists and the audience. A big thank-you to the entire team at Cargo for their trust, and congratulations to Fontaines D.C. for an intense, generous, and captivating performance. The theatre shook, the music filled the night, and the festival began with brilliance.

#thesound

#thelight

#thestructure