1979

• 2 stages
• 43 concerts and shows
• 35,000 spectators
• 3.00 hectares
• 300 volunteers
• Poster designed by Pierre-Alain Bertola

The expansion continues with the creation of the Club Tent - a small stage intended for hootenannies. The festival lives through the first rain showers of its brief history but this does nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the 35,000 present who enjoy performances by more than 40 groups including Ry Cooder, Graeme Allwright and Fairport Convention. Georges Moustaki, who has turned up in the audience, gives an impromptu concert under the Chapiteau. That autumn, euphoria gives way to internal crisis and a redefining of the festival's structures. Paléo decides to turn professional. To crown it all, several rather risky operations (a special concert with Laurent Voulzy and Alain Souchon, a live recording of the 1979 festival) blow a large hole in the budget.

Artists

Alain Souchon, Alceu Valença, Anguille sous Roche, Bill Keith & Happy Traum, Christine Authier, Circolo Mandolinistico, Aurora, Dan Ar Bras, Dan Crary, Dave Cousins, De Snaar, Delaware Water Gap String Band, Duodenum, Fahy-Huellou, Fairport Convention, Fiori-Seguin, Georges Moustaki, Gnags, Graeme Allwright, Jay Ungar, Jean-Claude Watrin, Jenny Beeching, La Boîte à Rire, La Bottine Souriante, La Chifonnie, La Confrérie des Fous, Laurent Voulzy, Los Jairas, Loudon Wainwright III, Maddy Prior, Mélanie, Michèle Bernard, Nazaré Pereira, Oisin, Pan Râ, Pierino, Planxty, Rockin' Dopsie and the Twisters, Ry Cooder, Schürmüli mit der Alte, Skibereen, Tannahill Weavers, Van Dango, Woodstock Mountains Revue