Heavy Weekend 2026 - Day 3 [Live Report]
- Jul 22
- 6 min read
It was time to kick off the third and final day of the festival. A day that would certainly draw fewer people than the day before, but likely the most enthusiastic crowd of the weekend.
So we arrived as the doors opened to find a very diverse crowd, wearing everything from wigs, mustaches, and ’90s sportswear to costumes featuring Art or other horror icons. The day’s lineup looked promising, offering both a festive atmosphere and a dose of nostalgia, and we couldn’t wait to see each performance.
Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot
Photos : Eden Bisiot // @bisiot.photos
It was nearing 5:30 p.m., and it was time for us to head toward the stage for the band kicking things off: Shaârghot! And while we’d run into plenty of Ice Nine Kills and Electric Callboy fans up to that point, it was definitely fans of the former band who were in the front row -with part of their faces painted black- eagerly waiting for the musicians to make their appearance.
Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot Photo: Eden Bisiot
Photos : Eden Bisiot // @bisiot.photos
The crowd was packed into the mosh pit rather than the bleachers, showing their eagerness to enjoy the night and dive into the mosh pits. And it didn’t take more than two songs to see them form the first wall of death of the day. It’s also worth noting that the band clearly came with infectious energy and a desire to give it their all for the crowd!
And while the music was flawless, the visuals were even more impressive. Extras made their entrance as soon as the first notes of Kill Your God -the set’s opening track- began, sporting the same post-apocalyptic style as the musicians, striding across the stage like giant steampunk praying mantises, interacting with the musicians, and reinforcing the French band’s uniquely striking image. We were even treated to another extra during Traders Must Die, dressed in the typical attire of a “rich American,” with large gold chains around his neck. He jumped over the barrier to throw bills bearing Shaârghot’s likeness into the crowd, before being taken down by Étienne Bianchi himself.
A performance that left its mark on this third edition of Heavy Week-End, balancing theatricality with technical prowess to offer festivalgoers a glimpse into the world born of the frontman’s imagination. And even though they seemed less visible at times due to the smoke, the crowd didn’t let up and continued to cheer and dance.
But this was just a warm-up, as the mosh pit had been in full swing all day long. And while we’d been treated to quite a spectacle, it was time to shift gears and take things up another notch ; moving from theater to cinema with the arrival of Ice Nine Kills!
Photo : GregH Photographer/GDP Photo : GregH Photographer/GDP Photo : GregH Photographer/GDP Photo : GregH Photographer/GDP Photo : GregH Photographer/GDP Photo : GregH Photographer/GDP
Photos : GregH Photographer/GDP
A highly anticipated performance that didn’t disappoint! Arriving at the famous Meat & Greet with their usual spectacle, the band had the crowd screaming even before they set foot on stage. We got to see Ice Nine Kills just as we know them so well -horrific, with a touch of Hollywood drama- for a breathtaking performance.
Spencer Charnas and his crew had just one hour to deliver a show worthy of their reputation, and they didn’t disappoint! We were treated to the actors, as brilliant as ever, enthusiastic musicians (though there were a few unannounced lineup changes), and some pleasant surprises.
In fact, the band also played Twisting The Knife (from Scream 7) and Work Of Art (from Terrifier 3), recognized as one of the biggest hits from Ice Nine Kills’ latest releases. And while Art himself came to join the party with us and spin the baby through the air (fans will get the reference), a special guest stole the show: Alissa White-Gluz! Spotted at the horror specialists’ recent shows, the former Arch Enemy singer is reportedly touring with them to perform the female vocal parts on these tracks.
But while a spectacular show was unfolding on stage, the action was just as intense in the pit : mosh pits, slams, and a wall of death to almost every song… The fans wouldn’t stop and were ready to keep it going until the end of the night! It was after the clownish grand finale that the band said goodbye, wishing us a great evening.
It was certainly a must-see show, one that deserves to be witnessed and experienced firsthand. And if horror doesn’t scare you, we’ll see you at La Seine Musicale on March 26, 2027!
It’s hard to come down after a show like that. But why come down when you can keep riding that wave of excitement? It was then time to get ready for the third band of the day, which was set to bring a touch of nostalgia to the hearts of festivalgoers.
Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot
Photos : Eden Bisiot // @bisiot.photos
After their first tour of France last December, Three Days Grace just keeps going! And this is much to the delight of their longtime fans. Seventeen songs awaited us for a total of 75 minutes, during which fans celebrated and screamed along to every lyric.
And while their opening with Dominate, from their latest album Alienation, was already well-received by the crowd, it was the second song, Animal I Have Become, that really kicked things off. Whether it was I Am Machine, I Hate Everything About You, or Painkillers, the atmosphere was at its peak.
There is so little -and yet so much- to say about this performance: from the musicians’ smiles to Adam Gontier’s speech about his history with the band and his gratitude toward his brothers in arms, from the fans’ tears of joy to the crowd surfers gliding over the crowd. And even with such a reputation, the band set aside the trappings of an elaborate stage production to make way for a genuine connection with the festivalgoers.
Everyone agreed that you had to be there to experience it to the fullest. Singing along to Three Days Grace at home is one thing; singing along to Three Days Grace with them is an entirely different experience! And to top it off, the band closed the show with Never Too Late and Riot, during which we could barely hear them because the crowd was singing so loudly!
They took the time to thank the audience and throw out guitar picks and other highly sought-after items at the end of the concert before leaving the stage, letting festival-goers head back to the village to grab a drink and a bite to eat before the big workout that awaited them.
10:00 p.m. was fast approaching, and the excitement was building more and more. Wigs, neon clothing, and inflatable floats were visible everywhere in the mosh pit, showcasing the devotion of the headliner’s fans. The large curtain featuring the cover art for the upcoming album Tanzneid covered the stage, and the spotlights began to come to life as the sun set.
Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot
Photos : Eden Bisiot // @bisiot.photos
Suddenly, the lights went out, and the first notes of the single Tanzneid rang out amid an Olympian calm that hung over the crowd - a calm that would be shattered by the curtain dropping just as the drop kicked in. While the musicians ran around and had fun on stage, the mosh pit was just as lively, with people starting to pogo from the very first song, though they remained mostly concentrated in the center of the pit, even as the energy had swept through the entire crowd!
It’s hard to imagine Electric Callboy playing anything other than a string of hits: Tekkno Train, Pump It, the unmissable cover of Everytime We Touch… The setlist is packed with tracks that make you want to scream and jump all over the place! What a wonderful way to wrap up Heavy Week-End.
The band addressed the crowd several times, making sure everyone was having a great time and pulling off some lightning-fast costume changes to transport us into their unique and wild world; and the crowd was still begging for more!
It was an hour and a half that felt like it was outside of time, with jets of flame and confetti bursting from everywhere, creating a true visual spectacle whether we were right in front of the stage or at the back of the stands. We were even treated to a drum solo by Frank Zummo, who -even though he’s capable of even more than what he gave us- perfectly embodied the band’s world by turning this solo into a battle with a robot projected onto the big screen at the back of the stage.
And while the entire crowd would have followed them until dawn, it was time for the German band to say goodbye… But not before playing RATATATA! and We Got The Moves! The musicians then left the stage, while everyone rushed to the festival village for one last beer before bidding farewell to Heavy WeekEnd.
Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot Photo : Eden Bisiot
Photos : Eden Bisiot // @bisiot.photos
But… Heavy WeekEnd also needed to say goodbye to us. After Electric Callboy left, the stage lit up once more to announce the dates for the 2027 edition!
So get ready for a colorful Heavy WeekEnd on June 4, 5, and 6, 2027!
After those three days, we headed home with our heads full of memories, SD cards way too full, and one thing crystal clear: Heavy WeekEnd is without a doubt one of the new must-attend festivals on the metal scene! And if this year has taught us one thing, it’s that we’re already looking forward to being back in 2027.
![Heavy Weekend 2026 - Day 1 [Live Report]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dc11a6_e6cebeef53a04c8793d8e04e377f138c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/dc11a6_e6cebeef53a04c8793d8e04e377f138c~mv2.jpg)
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