A blistering, full-throttle set that firmly marks a band on the rise.

    On the second night of MIL, Gros Coeur delivered one of the festival’s most electrifying shows, reinforcing the sense that the new francophone wave continues to produce some of Europe’s freshest and most irresistible ideas. On the Praça Stage, an intimate space blending industrial grit with homely charm, framed by wine bottles, oregano bundles and hanging garlic, the band presented a performance loaded with energy, intent and personality.

    From the first track, it became clear that Gros Coeur on stage are not just about songs; they’re about presence, rhythm, collective momentum and a contagious spark that spreads quickly through a room. Their sound fuses garage rock’s raw punch, punk’s bright impulsiveness and a psychedelic shimmer that stretches each track into something more textured and colourful. Live, these influences don’t fight each other. They intertwine and expand, forming a sonic identity entirely their own.

    The show opened with a surge of joyful urgency: warm, ripping guitars, a steady bassline, pulsing drums and a swirl of vocals carrying that deliciously controlled chaos that only works when a band is deeply aligned. It had the spirit of those scrappy-iconic gigs that become legend long after the fact, the kind that give you that instinctive “this is going to be special” feeling before a song even ends.

    Throughout the set, the band kept an impeccable pace. Every track felt like a climb rather than a loop. The arrangements were sharp but breathable, leaving room for tension, release and risk. The more expansive moments were perfectly measured, and the rhythmic core seemed to move in real time with the crowd’s reaction.

    If one figure truly reshaped the room’s energy, it was the guitarist. His presence was infectious, not through excess but through the natural ease with which he shifted between roles. A nimble multi-instrumentalist, occasional vocalist and fully committed performer, he lit up the stage with a steady, charismatic spark that stayed in constant conversation with the audience and the rest of the band.

    Some musicians play. Others project. He manages to do both with a rare fluidity. Every gesture, every instrument change, every quick movement added something to the show’s narrative, helping to build a warm and unified atmosphere buzzing with life.

    A band with solid identity, felt in eyes, ears, body and soul. Their interaction feels spontaneous but always musically grounded. There is room for improvisation, but never for drift. It’s the kind of chemistry that only emerges when each member understands the others’ roles intimately.

    The audience’s response was immediate and only grew stronger. As the set progressed, the closeness between band and crowd turned into a driving force. There were no dips or breaks, just a continuous ascent, each track pushing the next into an even brighter space. Dance, dance, dance.

    Gros Coeur’s performance was a vibrant display of creativity, cohesion and on-stage talent. A confident, inspired set that transformed a relatively short slot into a memorable experience and left a clear impression: this is a band in full artistic ascent.

    One of the festival’s strongest and most assertive moments, and proof that Gros Coeur’s fire deserves ever bigger stages.