Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, is a global celebration held every year on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice. First initiated in France in 1982, the concept was born from a study revealing that many young people played music but lacked platforms to perform.
The idea was simple yet powerful: transform public spaces into open stages where musicians—amateur or professional—could perform freely.
Fête de la Musique 2025: A Nationwide Celebration in India
This year, the celebration saw tremendous success across India. The French Institute in India (IFI), the Embassy of France, and the Alliance Française network in India joined hands to organise a rich variety of musical events nationwide.
International Feature
David Walters’ India Tour
One of the major highlights was the tour of renowned French artist David Walters, in collaboration with the Alliance Française network. Known for his unique blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, soul, funk, and electronic beats, Walters performed across eight Indian cities.
- Phase 1 (June 16–24): Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Pune, Hyderabad
- Phase 2 (June 25–July 7): Bangalore, Kolkata, Jaipur.
His first concert in Delhi on June 16 drew an enthusiastic audience and set the tone for the tour. In the second phase, Walters engaged in creative residencies and collaborations with Indian musicians, promoting cross-cultural artistic exchange.
“I want to make people dance,” he says with a grin. But not mindless dancing. Dancing that shakes something loose. That makes room for joy. That heals. “Music doesn’t change your life directly. But it changes how you feel. And that… that changes everything.”
“The concerts have been extraordinary,” says Walters, who kicked off the tour with a performance inNew Delhion June 18. “I was surprised to receive such a warm welcome from an audience that barely knows me. The audience was across all ages, from as young as three-year-olds to those in their 80s.”
Indian Pop Scene
June 21 Celebrations in Delhi
In Delhi, the French Institute in India (IFI), along with Alliance Française de Delhi and Amplify Music Incubator (AMI) by Gatecrash, organised a lively musical evening on June 21.
AMI, which supports independent musicians in India through residencies and mentorship, had earlier partnered with the Institut Français (Paris) and IFI to mentor promising Indian artists. From this collaboration, three rising Indian bands were selected to perform:
- Bawri Basanti (Delhi)
- Gandhar (Mumbai)
- Mannequin Disorder (Bangalore)
The event was free and open to the public, attracting a wide and mixed audience and adding to the celebration’s success.
Connecting Audiences Across India
To make the celebration accessible across India, the French Institute in India (IFI) revived www.fetedelamusique.in, a dedicated webpage showcasing concerts, artist spotlights, and event highlights from all over the country.
With support from the Alliance Française network, the site also featured interviews and original content, shared through platforms such as Spotify.