Where does the Fête de la Musique come from?

Every June 21st, the whole of France takes to the streets to celebrate the Fête de la Musique. Today, the success of this popular event has spread far beyond our borders, even prompting residents of the United Kingdom to plan dedicated trips. But where does this famous day, which heralds the beginning of summer, actually come from? That is exactly what Artoyz invites you to discover today.

The Fête de la Musique, associated with the famous slogan "Faites de la musique!" (Make music!), was inspired by an idea launched in 1976 by American musician Joel Cohen while he was working for France Musique. He wanted music groups to play all night long on June 21st to celebrate the summer solstice (the longest day and shortest night of the year). Although UNESCO had created an International Music Day in 1975 (celebrated on October 1st), it was on June 21st, 1982, that the very first official Fête de la Musique took place in France.

While Joel Cohen’s idea was to bring radio waves out into the streets during the shortest night of the year, its official launch in 1982 by Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret transformed France into a massive open-air stage. The concept was revolutionary: to allow all musicians, amateurs and professionals alike, to take over public spaces free of charge to promote their art. Far more than just outdoor concerts, over the decades this celebration has become a true homage to urban culture. From the arrival of rock in Paris to techno sound systems and mini-showcases by rappers, the soundscape of cities continues to evolve every June 21st. Bit by bit, music breaks free from the exclusivity of concert halls to invade the streets. In over 20 years at Artoyz, we’ve seen that music and collectible figurines share this very same passion for pop culture: the reclamation of culture by the people. Whether we are talking about vinyl to listen to a track or vinyl to mold a piece of art, both draw their roots from this exact same urban freedom.

Official creation date:June 21, 1982.

Historical slogan:« Faites de la musique, Fête de la musique ».

Concept:Free outdoor musical performances open to musicians of all levels.

Born in the streets of Paris, the Fête de la Musique quickly exported itself beyond our borders. On the occasion of the European Year of Music in 1985, the concept traveled across the entire continent. Today, many countries worldwide also celebrate this festival, whether by organizing "Befores" like in London to get future participants into the swing of things, or in New York, which hosts its own celebration for those who cannot cross the Atlantic for the occasion. Each country adapts the event to its local culture, transforming this day into a true network of urban artistic expression.

Anecdote: The first edition of the Fête de la Musique was a very risky gamble, following a survey on the number of French people who played an instrument. After concluding that nearly 5 million French people played one without having the opportunity to showcase their talent, the first Fête de la Musique was organized—and ultimately saw far more participants than imagined.

More than forty years after its creation, the Fête de la Musique remains a symbol of shared creativity, in the exact same way that art toys have reinvented art for pop culture. So, what better way to celebrate than to discover the Artoyz music collection!