France Music Week 2025: The International Week of French Music

From June 16 to 21, 2025, France hosted the first edition of France Music Week. This landmark international music event solidified the country’s position as a key player in the global music industry. Announced by President Emmanuel Macron during the 2024 Fête de la Musique, the event, coordinated by the National Music Center under the leadership of Culture Minister Rachida Dati, celebrated the richness and diversity of the French music scene while fostering international exchanges. Embedded in a strategy of cultural diplomacy and economic development, with the French music market valued at 1.4 billion euros annually, it enhanced the visibility of French artists, attracted investments, and positioned Paris as a European capital of the music industry, competing with events like MIDEM and South by Southwest.

The six-day program was packed with highlights. On June 16, an opening ceremony brought together political figures, artists, and industry professionals. On June 17, a day dedicated to technological innovation, French startups showcased advancements in generative artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain for copyright management. On June 18 and 19, international professional meetings at the Maison de la Radio allowed 70 foreign delegates to discover French artists, paving the way for future collaborations. On June 20, a summit at the Château de Versailles addressed critical industry issues such as streaming, intellectual property, sustainability, and equality. From June 14 to 18, creative residencies at the International City of the French Language in Villers-Cotters brought together 12 artists, half French, half international, for innovative creations centered on Francophonie. From June 16 to 21, a diverse national program featuring jazz, rap, electro, metal, and traditional music transformed France, particularly Paris, into an open stage, from intimate venues to major cultural institutions.

The National Music Center played a pivotal role in managing logistics, artist selection, and impact evaluation, with calls for applications launched in advance for creative and musical sessions. Beyond commercial goals, the event offered masterclasses, conferences, and roundtables on topics like fair compensation, artists’ rights, diversity, and the environmental impact of tours, engaging both professionals and the public in a spirit of cultural democratization.

The choice of the English name “France Music Week” sparked criticism from associations like ADELFY and the European Observatory of Multilingualism, who denounced it as a concession to English and suggested alternatives like “Music Week.” This debate highlighted tensions between international ambition and the preservation of French cultural identity. Organizing an event of this scale posed significant logistical challenges, yet coordination between Versailles, Paris, Villers-Cotters, and other cities, along with effective management of security and visitor flows, was successfully executed.

This first edition lived up to its promise, laying the groundwork for France Music Week to become an essential annual event, strengthening the French and European music ecosystem in the face of American dominance and the rise of Asian markets. By blending artistic excellence, technological innovation, and cultural diplomacy, the event marked a turning point for French music, embracing global openness while staying true to its cultural roots. From June 16 to 21, 2025, the global music industry closely watched this initiative, which demonstrated its potential to redefine France’s place on the world music stage.