Should we have gatekept the Fête de la Musique any longer?

There was a time when Music Day was synonymous with family strolls through the streets, impromptu parties at local merchants, long evenings spent on bar terraces listening to strangers perform, or gatherings on the docks before ending the night at a clandestine party on the outskirts. In the provinces, this event has preserved its authentic charm, but in Paris, coupled with Men's Fashion Week, it has taken on a whole new scale. For a week, the city is invaded by fashion professionals and tourists en masse. Brands monopolize the public space and going out becomes a real marathon rather than a pleasure. Which brand will win the prize for the best evening? Which personality will invest which venue? Whom will we have the honor to meet? At the center of this frenzy, Music Day, despite itself, seems to have become the climax of the festivities. And in recent years, it has greatly resembled a marketing operation, promoting major names in the music industry and brands at the expense of independent and local artists. This leads us to wonder: should we have kept Music Day simpler, more local, a little longer?

"Music will be everywhere and the concert nowhere!"

These prophetic words by Maurice Fleuret in 1981, co-creator of this event with Jack Lang and Christian Dupavillon, summarize the very essence of Music Day. For Fleuret, this celebration was to be a « sonic liberation, an intoxication, a vertigo more authentic, more intimate, more eloquent than art. » In 1982, a major survey on the cultural practices of the French revealed that 5 million people, half of them young, played a musical instrument. Thus, on June 21 of that same year, Music Day was born, a celebration open, free, and without hierarchy of genre or class. From its first edition, it embodied a moment of sharing and conviviality, where amateur musicians invaded the streets, parks, gardens, and even hospitals, prisons, and retirement homes. The goal was clear: to bring music to the streets, make it accessible to all, and promote musical diversity. Quickly, this celebration became a symbol of the cultural democratization desired by Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, who dreamed that « music be a celebration, and the celebration be musical ». But considering what it has become today, what would they think?

A growth that ruffles the feathers of purists

However, this beautiful spirit of conviviality and spontaneity seems to have been diluted over time. The coincidence of Music Day with Men's Fashion Week has intensified the fervor of the event, turning the streets of Paris into a field of high-society encounters where the spectacle often takes precedence over the music itself. Brands have spotted a good opportunity and have taken over, turning this popular celebration into a real gold mine. The streets of Paris have become overcrowded, complicating movements from one event to another and reducing the enjoyment of the musical experience. For many Parisians, this once intimate celebration now seems more destined for an international audience than for the locals themselves. This year, the atmosphere was particularly peculiar. Expectations were high, probably fueled by social networks, which have become real tourism agencies 2.0, and had sold the festivities as the event of the year. However, many faces seemed disappointed, running from block party to block party without finding one to their taste, as they were too crowded.

To gatekeep or not to gatekeep?

Of course, not everything is black or white. It would be contrary to the original values of Music Day to restrict it excessively. The international openness of this event, now celebrated in over 120 countries and 700 cities each June 21, presents undeniable advantages. Amateur and professional musicians can share their creations with an audience from all walks of life, turning this day into a platform for discovery and recognition for many artists. Despite its transformations, it remains a universal celebration of this common language that transcends borders and unites. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this spirit endures, despite the challenges and inevitable evolutions. By balancing the local and global dimensions, we can hope to regain some of the authenticity that made it charming, while enjoying the benefits of its international recognition.