Hellfest 2023: 10 must-see bands on the Mainstages

This year, Hellfest invites 182 bands to set fire to the Clisson site over 4 consecutive days, from June 15 to 18, 2023. Heavy metal, punk, hardcore, black metal, folk metal and hunnu rock from France, the UK, the USA, Chile, Poland and even Mongolia... once again, Hellfest is pulling out all the stops to satisfy everyone's tastes.

While Hellfest offers no less than 6 different stages, some festival-goers have an uncontrollable urge to squat in front of the two Mainstages all day long, in order to attend the shows of the leading artists and bands on the metal scene. So, for those of you who attend the festival's two main stages, here are 10 must-see bands on the Mainstages from June 15 to 18, 2023.

KISS
Thursday, June 15, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 10.55pm to 12.55am
Hard Rock / Glam Metal /USA
Kiss returns to Hellfest on Thursday June 15 (the first night of the 16th edition), even though the American glam rock band announced a farewell tour some time ago. But we're not going to deny ourselves the pleasure of seeing this legendary band live again. The program? A visual and aural show that promises to be epic, with confetti and pyrotechnic effects. So, are you ready to sing " I Was Made for Lovin' You "?

ELEGANT WEAPONS
Friday, June 16, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 3.05pm to 3.45pm
Heavy Metal - USA
Elegant Weapons is one of the latest supergroups to emerge. Comprising singer Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), guitarist Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), drummer Christopher Williams (Accept) and bassist Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep), the American band released their debut album"Horns for a Halo" on May 26, featuring contributions from Scott Travis (Judas Priest) and Rex Brown (Pantera). All in all, Elegant Weapons is a skilful blend of old-school rock and modernity, so don't miss them on Friday June 16!

DEF LEPPARD
Friday, June 16, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 8:25pm to 9:55pm
Hard Rock - United Kingdom
Here's another legendary band not to be missed this summer in Clisson! 42 years after their recording debut, the British band Def Leppard is set to enchant Hellfest festival-goers on Friday June 16 with a number of its legendary songs, as well as a return to tracks from the excellent"Diamond Star Halos", released in 2022!

EVERGREY
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - From 1:35pm to 2:15pm
Progressive metal - Sweden
They're Swedes, from Gothenburg to be exact. They are the members of Evergrey who, for 30 years now and the release of 13 opuses, have been thrilling us with their progressive metal tunes. For a good dose of melancholic power from one of these legendary Scandinavian bands, don't miss Evergrey 's concert on Saturday June 17 at 1:35pm.

PORCUPINE TREE
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 6:40pm to 7:50pm
Progressive Rock - United Kingdom
Steven Wilson and his Porcupine Tree band are finally back after a 12-year absence! This year, the British band is back on stage to revisit their many successes, but also to present their new tracks, taken from"Closure/Continuation", released in 2022. At the end of the day on Saturday June 17, Porcupine Tree will unleash their progressive rock, as powerful as it is effective, to prove that the magic still works, thanks to inventive and enjoyable tracks.

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IRON MAIDEN
Saturday, June 17, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Heavy Metal - United Kingdom
What can be said about Iron Maiden that hasn't already been said? Already present in 2018 in Clisson, the mythical British heavy metal band returns to Hellfest for its"Future Past Tour". This time around, the merry band plans to blow our eyes and ears out with an electrifying set built around tracks from their latest album to date,"Senjutsu" (2021) with a focus on the unmissable"Somewhere In Time" (1986).

HATEBREED
Sunday, June 18, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
Hardcore - USA
Forty-somethings are bound to know Hatebreed. Hailing from Connecticut, the American hardcore metal band was formed in 1994 by Jamey Jasta, Dave Russo, Larry Dwyer and Chris Beattie. The band quickly made a name for itself, becoming one of the forerunners of US metalcore in the 2000s. Although only two of the founding members remain, including the impressive singer Jamey Jasta, Hatebreed is one of those bands that you just love to see live, to take a step back in time.

TENACIOUS D
Sunday, June 18, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 7:45pm to 8:55pm
Satirical rock - USA
For a great time listening to good music, while relaxing your zygomatic muscles, join us on Mainstage 1 on Sunday June 18 for a concert by Tenacious D. A satirical rock band featuring the irreplaceable Jack Black and Kyle Gass, this wacky duo are determined to put humor on the same level as music in this not-to-be-missed set this summer.

PANTERA
Sunday, June 18, 2023 - Mainstage 2 - 9:00 pm to 10:25 pm
Groove Metal - USA
Pantera at Hellfest. Three words to describe one of the highlights not to be missed in Clisson this year. It has to be said that Pantera 's reformation has left all fans nostalgic for a bygone era euphoric. So, this Sunday, June 18, head to Mainstage 2 to slam, pogot, circle pit and wall of death with Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, joined for the occasion by the talented Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante (Anthrax).

SLIPKNOT
Sunday, June 18, 2023 - Mainstage 1 - 10:30 pm to 12:00 am
Nu Metal - USA
Every year, Hellfest pulls out all the stops to offer a must-see closing concert. After Metallica last year, it's time for Slipknot, the leading nu metal band led by Corey Taylor. On Sunday June 18, Des Moines' crazy masked troupe once again promises a show worthy of the name, with boundless energy, ultra-polished stagecraft and hits galore.

Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, and many other bands are not to be missed on the Mainstages at Hellfest this summer. What are you planning to see and hear in Clisson on June 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2023?

Hellfest 2024: line-up by stage and concert times
Hellfest announces its return in 2024 with four new days of concerts dedicated to extreme music. Mark your calendars! Hellfest awaits metalheads from Thursday June 27 to Sunday June 30, 2024. The line-up includes Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Foo Fighters, Megadeth, Queens of the Stone Age, The Offspring, Bruce Dickinson, Kvelertak, Machine Head, Corey Taylor, Mass Hysteria, The Prodigy, Suicidal Tendencies, Rival Sons, Saxon, Tom Morello, Kerry King from Slayer.... Here's the line-up by stage and concert times! [Read more]