Immersive French acts headline Fête de la Musique 2026 in Bengaluru
Fête de la Musique 2026 is returning this June as India’s annual international celebration of music, and Bengaluru is set to host some of its most experimental acts. Organised by the French Embassy, the French Institute in India and the Alliance Française network, the month-long programme will feature street concerts, immersive performances and cultural exchanges across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Kochi.
Three French acts, three different languages of sound
This year’s lineup brings three distinct French acts to Indian audiences. The highlight for Bengaluru is the mix of immersive public space performance, intimate musical storytelling, and Mediterranean electro-trance.
Perhaps the most unconventional offering is Balllad by French artiste Bertrand Devendeville. The show is built around spoken word improvisation and direct audience interaction. Participants wear wireless headphones throughout, which Devendeville says “creates a different relationship with sound, both intimate and collective at the same time”.
The performance blends beatboxing, live looping, street musical theatre and a walking performance through public space. “Audiences never actually know what to expect because the performance itself is a mixture of different artistic forms,” Devendeville adds. Recent shows in Delhi malls turned everyday spaces into moving musical playgrounds, with crowds guided by sound alone.
French singer-songwriter Kelly Ou Moi brings Le voyage de Kelly ou moi, an “intimate music journey” rooted in personal experiences, travels and emotions. Her work blends chanson, pop and world music influences, with songwriting that stands apart through French lyricism and multicultural textures. “My songs are deeply rooted in authentic stories and emotions,” Kelly says. She has performed across South America, Southeast Asia and Europe before landing in India.
Completing the trio is Alright Mela, a Mediterranean electro-trance collective that rounds out the festival’s sonic palette.
Music beyond concert halls
Fête de la Musique, which began in France as World Music Day, has always pushed music into public spaces and unconventional settings. This edition continues that spirit by making interaction and participation central. Balllad’s headphone walks turn spectators into contributors, while Kelly’s storytelling sets blur the line between performer and audience.
For Bengaluru, the festival adds to a growing calendar of immersive, experience-led events. The city is already preparing for large-scale multidisciplinary festivals later this year, but Fête de la Musique keeps the focus on free, accessible, street-level engagement.
