On August 21st and 22nd, The World Today festival returns to Saint-Martin for its 8th edition. Born from a shared passion for electronic music, the event has continued to grow over the years, while maintaining its identity and its roots in the heart of the Villé Valley.
Behind the artists, the stages, the sets, and the festive atmosphere that visitors discover over two days, lie months of preparation and a true collective effort. Around thirty volunteers work throughout the year to organize the festival, before nearly 160 people mobilize for the setup, the festival weekend, and the teardown.
To discover everything that happens behind the scenes, we met Louan, an intern at Elsass Vibes. Having joined the adventure at the beginning of the year, she tells us about her daily life, the challenges of organizing such an event, the evolution of the festival and what, according to her, makes The World Today so unique.
- Can you introduce yourself briefly and tell us how you joined The World Today adventure?
My name is Louan and I'm currently in my first year of a BTS Tourism program in Ingersheim. I joined The World Today festival team at the beginning of the year, after discovering on Instagram that they were looking for a volunteer for a civic service placement. At that time, I had just finished my previous contract and, having long been drawn to the world of events, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to try something new.
So I contacted the festival president, went through several interviews, and discussed the possibilities of turning this opportunity into an apprenticeship. Finally, we reached an agreement, and I was able to join the adventure. It was a somewhat impulsive decision, but driven by the desire to discover what goes on behind the scenes at a major event in the Villé Valley—and I don't regret it for a second.
- You are an apprentice at Elsass Vibes: what are your main daily tasks?
As an intern at Elsass Vibes, I have a particularly versatile role, but my main responsibilities focus on sponsorship management. I am in charge of contacting companies, presenting the festival project and the association's objectives, and then building a partnership with them that culminates in a sponsorship agreement.
Throughout the year, and especially during the festival, I also take responsibility for the environment. As the site is located in a Natura 2000 zone, this aspect is essential: we ensure the cleanliness of the grounds, practice recycling, and respect the entire ecosystem that hosts us. It's a strong commitment, central to the festival's identity.
- Since joining the team, what has this experience taught you or brought you?
Since joining the team, this experience has taught me a great deal, particularly about my organizational skills and time management. Working on a festival requires a specific rigor: every step counts, every action is part of a precise schedule, and nothing can be left to chance.
Over the months, I've come to understand how much preparing for an event relies on a series of tasks that must be carried out in the right order. The last month before the festival is particularly intense: everything speeds up, decisions must be made quickly, and you have to maintain an overall vision while managing the day-to-day emergencies.
This experience taught me to anticipate, prioritize, and adapt, but also to work as part of a team in a context where the pressure gradually increases. It continues to give me better control over my personal and professional organization every day, and that is undoubtedly one of the most valuable lessons I take away from this adventure.
- The World Today is celebrating its 8th edition this year: how has the festival evolved since its beginnings?
Originally, The World Today was just a simple party to celebrate a shared passion for electronic music. Over the years, the festival has grown steadily thanks to passionate volunteers, public support, and our partners. It now hosts major headliners like Feder, Møme, and Étienne de Crécy, and its attendance continues to grow, reaching 4000 festival-goers this year.
For this 8th edition, the site is expanding again: a larger space to accommodate festival-goers, new sanitary facilities equipped with showers are added to the campsite to improve the comfort of the public, and two specific parking areas are being set up; a parking area dedicated to adapted vehicles and a VIP parking area; in order to optimize the reception and traffic flow throughout the site.
The festival thus continues its evolution year after year, driven by a dynamic that continues to grow!
- What, in your opinion, constitutes the identity of The World Today?
For me, The World Today 's identity lies first and foremost in its authenticity in the heart of the Villé Valley. During two days of festivities, the site, surrounded by the Alsatian mountains, offers a unique setting, enhanced by an incredible sunset. The bars offer a wide selection of refreshing drinks, and the food is entirely homemade, using local products that truly make all the difference!
The hand-painted decorations and the shop, where each item is hand-floated, further reinforce this warm and authentic identity that makes the festival so charming, not to mention the amazing volunteers!
- With less than two weeks until the festival, where are you in the preparations? What are the last things to put in place?
With the festival fast approaching, much of the site is already in place: the main tents are up and most of the facilities are operational. Now, the major elements remain to be installed, including the main stage and all the decorations, which always requires meticulous work. Despite the heat, the volunteers are fully mobilized and working with incredible energy to ensure everything is ready and to offer the best possible experience to festival-goers on August 21st and 22nd!
- We often imagine that organizing a festival is mainly about choosing the artists and preparing the concerts. What are some things we don't necessarily think about, but which are essential for the festival to take place?
I'm often asked what I do for an entire year for just two days of festival. But in reality, there are a lot of things that people don't think about. It all starts with the permits: hosting artists, welcoming the public, managing drinks, food, water… each point requires a specific procedure.
You also have to keep track of all the partners, manage agreements, requests, administrative files, and all those little details that go unnoticed but are essential for the festival to happen. Even a simple drinks sign might seem insignificant, but behind it lies time, preparation, and organization.
- How many people are involved this year in making The World Today happen, including association members, volunteers, and other people who participate in the organization?
Throughout the year, around thirty volunteers are mobilized to prepare the festival in advance. Then, during the two weeks of setup, the two days of the festival and the dismantling, approximately 160 volunteers actively participate in ensuring the smooth running of the event.
- Of all the tasks you undertake, which one requires the most time or energy?
The task that demands the most time and energy from me is managing grant applications and following up with sponsors. Grant applications are particularly time-consuming: they require gathering a great deal of information, writing comprehensive arguments, precisely meeting the criteria, providing supporting documents, and adhering to often complex administrative procedures. Creating, updating, and submitting these applications represents a significant and ongoing workload.
In addition to this, there's sponsor management, which requires a regular investment: renewing contracts with existing partners, meeting with potential new sponsors, presenting the project, discussing partnership terms, providing ongoing support throughout the year, and finalizing commitments. This aspect demands significant availability, preparation, and coordination, as it relies on human relationships and trust.
These two combined missions represent the most demanding part of my work, both in terms of time and energy.
- What moment of the weekend are you personally looking forward to the most?
The moment of the weekend I personally look forward to the most is when I can finally try all the new things at the festival. Every year, it's a real treat to discover the new ice creams, burgers, tarte flambées, and tenders offered on site. I'm also eager to try our new 0.0% alcohol Limoncello Spritz at the Garden, a creation that brings a fresh and original touch to the festival experience.
- For someone who has never been to The World Today before, what could they discover or experience during these two days?
I would advise anyone who's never been to start with a visit to Paillettes for festival-worthy makeup. Right next door, they could stop by the "Ça clic mon Lapin!" Photo Van to take some great souvenir photos. And to finish off the day, head to Le Garden Bar to enjoy a delicious cocktail while relaxing in the deck chairs, before soaking up the atmosphere in front of The World Today festival stage.
- What has surprised you the most since you discovered what goes on behind the scenes at the festival?
What surprised me most when discovering the backstage of the festival was the sheer size of the area at the rear of the grounds, where the public is welcomed. You wouldn't imagine how vast it is behind the food service area and the entire volunteer zone: it's a veritable hidden village, essential to the festival's operation but completely invisible to festival-goers.
I was also surprised by the sheer amount of work required to prepare just two days of the festival. Before joining the team, I thought it would take a few months of preparation, but certainly not almost a full year of work, coordination, and organization. Discovering this reality really made me realize the colossal commitment behind each edition.
- The festival takes place in Saint-Martin, in the Villé Valley. What does this setting bring to the event?
The World Today festival fully benefits from the exceptional setting of Saint-Martin, in the heart of the Villé Valley. The site is surrounded by nature, nestled in the mountains, far from major cities and urban pollution, creating a unique atmosphere enhanced by the landscape and natural environment. This setting provides a feeling of disconnection, freedom, and respite that festival-goers greatly appreciate.
The fact that the event takes place in Alsace also reinforces its identity: it highlights the valley's richness and helps to revitalize this rural area. The festival attracts a regional audience who discover or rediscover the Villé Valley, which contributes to its renown and appeal.
- There are still places available for August 21 and 22: why would it be a shame to miss out on this edition?
This year, The World Today festival returns with an edition that promises to be simply unmissable. From the moment they arrive on site, festival-goers will discover a completely redesigned space: an expanded grounds, smoother traffic flow, and a totally revamped stage design. The decorations, created especially for this edition, transform the venue into a truly immersive world where every detail has been carefully considered to surprise and delight.
The food service is also getting a makeover. Local businesses from the Villé Valley are offering brand-new recipes, reimagined flavors, and showcasing regional products like never before. In addition, there are new craft beers and a revamped cocktail menu to provide a culinary experience worthy of the event.
But what makes this edition truly exceptional is its lineup. The festival takes a significant step forward by welcoming major artists from the electro and pop scene: Feder, Møme, Étienne de Crécy, Kemmler, Boris Way, and many more. An ambitious lineup that promises an intense, vibrant, and memorable weekend.
Between a transformed site, an enhanced culinary offering, and a top-tier program, missing this edition would mean missing out on a highlight of the summer in the Villé Valley.
- If you had to give one piece of advice to someone coming to The World Today for the first time, what would it be?
For a first-time experience at The World Today festival , the best advice would be to let yourself be carried away by the energy of the place. The festival is not just a program: it's a whole world unto itself, nestled in the heart of the Villé Valley, where every space tells a story.
New visitors would benefit from fully embracing the surprises of this year's festival: sampling the new flavors offered by local restaurants, exploring the unique atmospheres created for this year, and even venturing out to meet other festival-goers. The site is full of hidden corners, decorations, and unexpected moments just waiting to be discovered.
In the idyllic setting of the Villé Valley, the festival becomes a haven where you can disconnect, breathe, and experience a timeless weekend. Ultimately, the best advice is to let the magic of the place work its charm: those who allow themselves to be surprised often leave with the most beautiful memories.
