The All-Female Line-ups Taking Over Paris This Fête de la Musique The women taking over the decks
Exit the endless all-male sound systems overcrowding the sidewalks: the capital is waking up to the rhythm of sharp curation, refreshing alternatives, and strong commitments. From designer pop-ups to full-scale festival stages, here is a breakdown of the spots where the line-up is (almost) exclusively female.
Morning Warm-up at Damson Madder
To celebrate the opening of its very first Parisian pop-up, London label Damson Madder is taking over the longest weekend of the year. Since Fête de la Musique lands on a Sunday, the brand is getting a head start by kicking things off mid-morning. From 11 AM to 4 PM, you can browse the Pre-Fall 26 collection while grooving to sets by Naomi, Baby Kim, and Ghita Askari. The perfect equation of style and daytime micro-clubbing.
Slow-Fishing with Merrell and Naomi Clément
For those fleeing the suffocating crowds of the city center, outdoor brand Merrell delivers this edition's most audacious alternative. Known for an DNA deeply rooted in the great outdoors, the label breaks urban codes by dropping precise geographical coordinates: head over to Canal Saint-Denis. In partnership with @parisfishingsniper, Merrell is putting together an impromptu line-fishing session—yes, really—just a few hundred meters from the Parisian chaos. To score this suspended moment in time, journalist and DJ Naomi Clément will bring the groove to this nearly improvised fishing party.
Urban Outfitters Joins Forces with Foundation FM
When the giant of cool teams up with London's highly respected Foundation FM radio, the result is bound to be explosive. From 3 PM to 1:30 AM, the Parisian flagship shifts into rave mode with a near-exclusively female line-up. Among the headliners is the self-proclaimed Soundgal DJ Priscila Fernandez (whom insiders will also spot at Havaianas' 100% Brazilian closing party) delivering a massive dose of Brazilian Funk. The rest of the bill? The electronic and Caribbean explorations of Manuka Honey, followed by the heavy-hitting selections of Tsunamy, seamlessly navigating between bouyon, jersey club, and drum & bass. Pure energy guaranteed.
Peter & May x Manhattan Records at Marc Le Bihan
In the heart of the 3rd arrondissement, Rue de Bretagne is set to vibrate under the impulse of an ultra-surprising collaboration. Parisian eyewear brand Peter & May is partnering with label Manhattan Records to take over the Marc Le Bihan boutique—the optician renowned for its avant-garde frame selections. To bring this fusion of fashion and music to life, actress and DJ Lily Taieb will be taking over the decks.
Les Secrets de Loly’s Curl Club Shifts Into Festival Mode
To close the day on a high note, the French leader in textured haircare, Les Secrets de Loly, is striking hard with its Curl Club. Starting at 6 PM, the brand is rolling out a line-up worthy of the summer’s biggest festivals. On the live front, the mic is handed to the queens of the current scene: Meryl, Bamby, and Eve La Marka. Behind the decks, the next generation is locked in with fiery sets from Mel Woods, Spice & Curls, and Marielou.
While Fête de la Musique is inherently free, the Curl Club is bending the rules for a good cause: entry requires a 10-euro ticket, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity (the name of which will be revealed very soon). A minor breach of protocol we can easily get behind.
This Sunday edition proves that Fête de la Musique has everything to gain by handing over the keys to women. Balancing intimate micro-sessions with stages worthy of major festivals, these line-ups are redefining the capital's soundtrack for Fête de la Musique. All that's left for you to do is map out your route.
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