We dreamed of a French ADE, a pivotal moment able to bring the whole music industry together across every genre and, above all, to celebrate what France does best: electro. For its first edition, France Music Week, held from 16 to 21 June, lays solid foundations. But when it comes to…
We dreamed of a French ADE, a pivotal moment able to bring the whole music industry together across every genre and, above all, to celebrate what France does best: electro. For its first edition, France Music Week, held from 16 to 21 June, lays solid foundations. But when it comes to electronic music, the party feels a little shy.
The public closing night takes place in the gardens of the Louvre on 21 June, with a line-up that stretches in every direction: Christine and the Queens, La Femme, Malik Djoudi… before switching, after 11pm, to a DJ set format with Major Lazer and Miss Monique. A choice that sends a strong signal, but a one-off one.
Because while a handful of FMW-labelled events put electro in the spotlight (from Kavinsky to Busy P, by way of The Blaze and Mandragora), they remain thinly spread, often confined to Paris or to a few well-known clubs. On the conference and industry side, the near-total absence of figures from the electronic scene is surprising, despite Pedro Winter’s presence at the closing summit.
It may take time for a real electronic hub to emerge within France Music Week. In the meantime, this first edition deserves credit for existing and laying the groundwork. Let’s hope that, from the next editions onwards, the cultural, economic and creative weight of the French electronic scene is treated in a way that matches its global reach.
Photo by @odieuxboby
