The first France Music Week spotlights the strengths and challenges of the country’s music industry. Designed as both a promotional platform and a space for critical dialogue, the event reflects a sector navigating global ambitions and domestic growing pains.
The first France Music Week, an international event kicking off Monday in Paris, aims to promote a French music sector praised for its local networks and export successes—but increasingly showing signs of strain.
Spearheaded by President Emmanuel Macron, the initiative targets industry professionals with the goal of “putting France on the map of global music.”
After opening events at the Ministry of Culture and a series of talks at the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, the week peaks Friday with a summit at the Opéra Garnier bringing together “top-tier” global music figures, according to the National Music Center (CNM), which is overseeing the schedule.
A free outdoor concert in the Louvre gardens on Saturday, coinciding with France’s Fête de la Musique, will close the week.
“With France Music Week, France could become the world’s top music producer,” said Culture Minister Rachida Dati in an interview with Le Figaro on Wednesday.
More than a music festival, this new event is designed as a major promotional campaign and think tank on the sector’s future, paired with public concerts.
Major labels (Universal, Warner, French distributor Believe), streaming platforms (Spotify, YouTube, and French-based Deezer), promoters (including giant Live Nation), unions, and tech-music companies are among the guests.
Globally, the industry remains divided over how artists are compensated by streaming services—and increasingly over the growing influence of artificial intelligence, which many see as a threat to creators.
“There needs to be regulation forcing AI companies to license with us,” said Cécile Rap-Veber, CEO of French rights management organization Sacem, speaking earlier this month at the South by Southwest festival in London.
High Hopes, Lingering Concerns
“France Music Week is a showcase—it highlights the talent, expertise, companies, and artists we have,” said Malika Séguineau, director of Ekhoscènes, a union representing private live show producers.
“Music is just as economically powerful as fashion and cinema. It drives impact and delivers returns,” she emphasized.
France’s music sector stands out thanks to its well-established infrastructure—venues, programs, and support systems—as well as its internationally recognized French-speaking artists, particularly in rap and electronic music, such as Grammy-winning duo Justice.
In 2024, France’s recorded music market (CDs, vinyl, streaming) crossed the €1 billion mark in revenue, marking its eighth straight year of growth, according to the National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing (Snep).
These gains mirror the rebound of the global music industry, which hit a record $29.6 billion (€27.2 billion) last year, up 4.8%, recovering from the near-collapse during the decline of physical formats.
Live music is also thriving, with packed arenas and festivals reaching full capacity.
But not everything is rosy. In France, streaming subscription growth has plateaued and festivals are facing mounting pressure from rising costs and shrinking public funding.
Last year, 44% of festivals with more than 90% attendance still ended up in the red, according to the CNM. “Early signs from this year’s festivals suggest the outlook isn’t improving compared to 2024,” warned the Current Music Syndicate (SMA) on Thursday.
In response, “France Music Week needs to amplify the voices across the entire music ecosystem—not just the cultural industries,” said SMA Director Aurélie Hannedouche, highlighting the role of independent organizations.
“To truly uplift the ecosystem, the redistribution model has to work properly,” she added.
Industry leaders are also calling for an increase in the cap on the concert ticket tax, currently set at €53 million: once that limit is reached, additional revenue goes to the state rather than being reinvested into the music sector.
By Fanny LATTACH / AFP
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