Nuits sonores Lab
In(ter)dependencies
13 – 17 May 2026
Hôtel71 · H7 · Grandes Locos, Lyon
For five days, from 13 to 17 May, through workshops, panel discussions, masterclasses and a radio corner, Nuits Sonores Lab will explore the notion of independence in the face of the threats faced by cultural and media ecosystems across Europe.
By bringing together thinkers, artists, activists, authors, collectives and media outlets, Nuits Sonores Lab aims to create a space for reflection at the heart of the festival, to consider and imagine alternatives for the independence of Europe’s cultural and democratic sectors.
11:00 —13:00
Workshop • Cultural ONGs: How Can We Protect Our Freedom?
📍Hôtel71
L’Observatoire des libertés associatives monitors, analyses, and documents the constraints affecting the nonprofit sector. In a challenging economic context, cultural organisations are facing numerous challenges. Their ability to freely create and present works and artists in line with their values sometimes can come under pressure.
Drawing on the Observatoire’s methodology, this workshop offers a collective skills-building session to better understand the challenges affecting cultural organisations, the mechanisms behind them, and the possible ways to respond.
Workshop in French.
with Marie Garmadi (Observatoire des libertés associatives | FR)
11:00 —13:00
Music Speed meeting • Sacem Electro Tour
📍Hôtel71
Initiated by SACEM, this speed-meeting event allows young artists from the region to better understand their rights and to meet various professionals from the electronic music sector.
14:00 – 15:00
Round table • What alliances should be forged for culture?
📍Hôtel71
Collectives, unions, European networks, coalitions: alliances in the cultural sector today take many different forms. Whether formed across geographic or sectoral lines, these connections have become essential to sustaining these ecosystems and defending their values. This is particularly true in the music scene, which is facing increasing market concentration among festivals and venues. A similar dynamic is at work in the publishing sector, where consolidation is prompting publishers to come together through collective initiatives.
At the same time, European and Canadian networks are being encouraged to strengthen their ties, at a moment marked by the resurgence of U.S. imperialism, which threatens their respective independence. In Europe, such solidarities are also crucial for cultural organisations that have become targets of authoritarian regimes seeking to impose their narratives and bring independent cultural scenes under control.
During this discussion, representatives from various collective initiatives will come together to outline strategies for building coalitions and alliances to protect a cultural sector under pressure—spanning France and Canada, and across the fields of music (with the Syndicat des Musiques Actuelles and the Canadian festival network Le REFRAIN), media, and publishing.
with
Patrick Kearney (Le REFRAIN | CN),
Stéphane Krasniewski (Les SUDS / SMA | FR)
More speakers to come.
15:30-16:30
Round table • The independence of culture and the media under threat from authoritarian regimes
📍Hôtel71
Around the world, when authoritarian regimes come to power, they systematically and methodically target the same types of organisations. Media outlets, associations, cultural institutions and universities become the focus of governments seeking to impose a reactionary and nationalist narrative. In the context of this cultural battle and these repeated attacks on independence, a range of strategies are deployed by governments aiming to bring civil society under control. Delegitimisation, funding cuts, dismissals of leadership, criminalisation of associations: these patterns are replicated from one country to another.
These dynamics will be explored during this discussion, with Iranian artist Hura Mirshekari sharing insights into the situation facing artists in her home country. Jennifer Laourou, from the NGO Artistic Freedom Initiative, will present her organisation’s research on the state of artistic freedom in Europe and worldwide, while legal expert Sophie Lemaître will examine how media and NGOs are constrained by the law. The discussion will be moderated by Léna Mauger, co-founder of Kometa magazine.
with
Sophie Lemaître (lawyer | FR)
Hura Mirshekari (artist | IR)
Jennifer Laourou (Artistic Freedom Initiative | FR)
Moderation: Léna Mauger (Kometa | FR)
17:00-18:00
Talk with StreetPress · Media independence — and what’s next?
📍Hôtel71
Independent media play a crucial role in our democracies. The support of hundreds of thousands of citizens, through subscriptions, helps to keep their independence. While this model can strengthen editorial autonomy, it also raises questions about the formats to be developed, the angles to be chosen, and the subjects to be covered—often ones that cannot be produced within media serving particular interests.
How can journalists, video creators and independent media turn this freedom into real editorial strength, without imitating mainstream outlets or simply reacting to them? How can media independence enable them to play a meaningful role in cultural debate?
with
Jo Weisz (StreetPress | FR)
Lumi (Blast | FR)
Simon Reha (Histoires Crépues)
14:30-15:30
Masterclass • Sacem Electro Tour
📍Hôtel71
A talk and discussion centered on the career of an artist jointly selected by Sacem and Nuits sonores, aimed at emerging local artists.
16:15-16:45
Artist Talk • Run an independent festival in Taïwan
📍Les Grandes Locos — Scène Darse
During this Artist Talk, Sonia Calico—artist and director of the Glowball Festival—will discuss the challenges and contemporary realities of running an independent cultural project in Taipei, Taiwan.
The conversation will explore the festival’s origins, its local roots, as well as the broader context of organising independent events within Taiwan’s cultural landscape.
with Sonia Calico (artist | TN)
Louise Grossen (Balafre | FR)
18:00-23:00
Radio Lab • FIP
📍Les Grandes Locos — Scène Darse
For over 50 years, FIP has been more than a radio station: it’s a musical journey created by music lovers, for music lovers. With FIP, every day brings a new sonic adventure. A long-time partner of the festival, the most musical of radio stations is back at Nuits sonores. For this first day of the Radio Lab, DJ sets and live interviews with artists from the festival line-up will bring the Days’ radio stage at Les Grandes Locos to life.
Programme to be announced soon.
11:00 — 13:00
Workshop · To the festival through the catastrophe: collective speculation practice
📍Hôtel71
Disasters and crises are unfolding around the world, one after another. Neo-imperialism and far-right movements are gaining influence in societies, targeting the public and cultural spheres. What if these tendencies take over? How can we find common ground in this shaky reality? How to organise a festival in these conditions, and how can we support each other?
During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity in a playful manner to reflect on existing and potential threats to democracy and the cultural sector, and explore possible shared approaches to overcoming the crisis and establishing networks in the face of challenges.
with Natalia Matsenko (independent curator, UA)
Yuri Yefanov (artist and curator, UA)
Workshop in English.
11:00 — 13:00
Workshop · Paye ta vie d’artiste x Manifesto XXI : Why is syndicalisme SO sexy???
📍Hôtel71
Why is labor law so sexy? How can you assert your rights as an artist? Can you go on strike? What resources and unions are available to you? Like the TikTok coaches who manage to make the unlikely figure of the entrepreneur appealing, Robyn Chien invites you to reflect on what makes unionism so sexy. Designed as a space for discussion—interactive and accessible—the workshop will bring together cultural workers to share their union experiences.
Paye ta vie d’artiste ! is a podcast series produced by the independent media Manifesto XXI, highlighting the social and economic conditions of artists and art workers.
Workshop in French
with Robyn Chien (artist and content creator, FR)
14:00 – 15:00
Round table · Billionaires, lobbies, multinationals… Democracy under pressure
📍Hôtel71
Economic elites drawn to authoritarianism, multinational corporations that appear more powerful than states, the spread of oppressive governments around the world, the rollback of social and environmental protections in the name of competitiveness and geopolitical rivalry, attacks on science…The foundations and certainties that have long underpinned our liberal democracies now seem more fragile than ever.
How can we explain this convergence of anti-democratic forces? And how can we (re)build a truly economic, social and ecological democracy to reverse this trend?
Round table in French
with Laurent Mauduit (author and co-founder of Mediapart I FR)
Aurore Gorius (journalist I FR)
Olivier Petitjean (Observatoires des multinationales I FR)
More speakers to come.
15:30 – 16:30
Round table · Relearning the commons: mutual aid, the living world and collective culture
📍Hôtel71
In an age of polycrisis, how can we build stronger connections around us and reinforce our capacity for collective action? If mutual aid is a powerful political concept with significant potential for social transformation, how can the cultural sector take hold of it and turn it into a tool for mobilisation?
This discussion, rooted in a decolonial, ecological and grassroots perspective, examines the idea of ‘taking nature as a model’ to strengthen collective action. But in seeking inspiration from the living world, do we risk once again placing humans at a distance from it, as if we existed outside it? In reality, it may be industrial ways of living that have distanced us—a separation we must overcome in order to reconnect with our natural instincts: cooperation, hybridity, movement and care.
with Jean-Paul Deniaud (Pioche!)
More speakers to come.
17:00 – 18:00
Meeting Amandine Gay: Breaking free from systemic racism
📍Hôtel71
As part of the release of her latest book Vivre, libre, author and filmmaker Amandine Gay offers insights into this question: how can one live and emancipate oneself in a world shaped by racial oppression? She begins by recognizing its systemic nature: more than an ideology of hatred, more than an individual or moral issue, it is a political regime whose historical and philosophical foundations continue to operate today. Through an exploration of her own journey and of classic works of pop culture—from adult dominance to family life, including friendship, sexuality, and work—she identifies the everyday manifestations of white supremacy and the mechanisms that sustain it.
with
Amandine Gay (author and director | FR)
Moderation : Aïnoha Jean-Calmettes (independent journalist | FR)
16:15 – 16:45
Artist Talk · Cultures soundsystem
📍Les Grandes Locos — Scène Darse
Nuits sonores places particular emphasis on the connections between bass music, sound system cultures, and their global circulation. This discussion gives a platform to artists from the programme who are keeping sound system cultures alive around the world.
with
Annie Parker (Crack magazine | UK)
Baalti (artist | UK/IN)
More speakers to come.
18:00-23:00
Radio Lab : FIP
📍Les Grandes Locos — Radio
For over 50 years, FIP has been more than a radio station: it’s a musical journey created by music lovers, for music lovers. With FIP, every day brings a new sonic adventure. A long-time partner of the festival, the most musical of radio stations is back at Nuits sonores. For this second day of the Radio Lab, DJ sets and live interviews with artists from the festival’s line-up will bring the Days’ radio stage at Les Grandes Locos to life.
Programme to be announced soon.
11:00 — 13:00
Workshop · Events for Good: Designing Sustainable Practices
📍Hôtel71
Reducing our dependence on capitalist systems while continuing to create meaningful cultural experiences involves developing more autonomous practices. By relying on local resources, knowledge-sharing, and collective dynamics, it becomes possible to build networks of mutual support and strengthen resilience. Sustainability is understood here as an evolving process, made up of constant adjustments, while taking into account geographical, economic, and ecological constraints.
Drawing on the experience of Threes Productions, particularly through projects such as Terraforma and Nextones, this workshop offers a space for reflection and exchange around concrete practices. From eco-design to responsible resource management, every choice—whether material or narrative—is seen as a lever to encourage more autonomous ways of organising and to contribute to the emergence of truly sustainable and equitable cultural events.
Workshop in English.
with Allegra Rusconi (Terraforma | IT)
Virginia Rollando (Terraforma | IT)
14:00 — 15:00
Round table · The Ownership Concentration of the Musical Landscape in Europe and Canada: Cross Perspectives
📍Hôtel71
In 2026, more than 200 European music festivals are owned by just four major groups. This striking figure was revealed in a recent study published by the European networks Reset! and Live DMA, highlighting two maps produced by researcher Matthieu Barreira.
In Canada, a similar trend is unfolding, with one major player—Live Nation—accused of establishing a monopoly in the music sector through the acquisition of venues and cultural infrastructure. A recent episode of Enquête on Radio-Canada has shed light on this development, notably giving a voice to the Canadian network of independent festivals, Le REFRAIN, which is seeking to alert decision-makers and the public to the effects of the growing dominance of a “live entertainment multinational valued at $50 billion on the stock market”, accused of having established a monopoly in the United States by being present at every stage of live music events.
By offering a comparative perspective on the situation in Canada and Europe, this discussion aims to build bridges between the two continents and explore possible courses of action to address a trend that poses a growing threat to the diversity of today’s music scene.
A discussion organised as part of the Reset! Live Podcast series.
with Erica Romero Pender (Live DMA | ES)
Patrick Kearney (Le REFRAIN)
Moderation: Théo Majcher | (Reset! / ALTER EGO X, FR)
More speakers to come.
Round table in English.
15:30 – 16:30
Table ronde · First Floor Live: The Challenges of Maintaining an Independent Festival
📍Hôtel71
Organising a festival has never been easy, but in a live music landscape that has become not only crowded and highly competitive, but also increasingly dominated by large private groups and investment funds, the task has grown exponentially more complex — particularly for those seeking to preserve their independence. These challenges are compounded by the multiplication of conflicts and the rise of imperialism across the world, making the situation even more fragile.
This discussion addresses these issues head-on, bringing together a diverse panel of independent festival organisers. They will share their experiences on how they have managed to build and sustain their projects, and endure at a time when competition for funding, talent and audience attention is shaped by profit-driven actors—often better resourced, better connected, and less inclined to depart from dominant cultural standards.
with Andrii Palash (Construction Festival | UA)
Provhat Rahman (Dialled In | UK)
Moderation: Shawn Reynaldo (First Floor | ES/US)
More speakers to come.
17:00 – 18:00
Round table · Cooperation and solidarity for gender equality in electronic music scenes
📍Hôtel71
In a sector still marked by significant gender inequalities, networks and collaborations play a key role in supporting women and gender-diverse artists in electronic music. Mentoring programmes, equality bonuses, peer support groups, knowledge-sharing initiatives and research: these actions are multiplying and gradually transforming professional practices.
In partnership with the Adami, this panel explores the concrete initiatives developed in recent years, their real impact on artistic careers, and the new models of solidarity they are helping to shape. Alongside artists such as sa+ga and Olympe4000, as well as key figures involved in these support programmes, we will examine the drivers of change, the persistent barriers, and the pathways towards building a more equitable and representative electronic music ecosystem.
wth Elizabeth Le Hot (ADAMI | FR)
Olympe4000 (artist | FR)
Sarah Gamrani (Au-delà du club | FR)
Claudia Courtial (Les Canut·es | FR)
Gwenaëlle Kerboul (MEWEM | FR)
16:15 – 16:45
Artist Talk· Sounds of Iranian Electronic Scenes
📍Les Grandes Locos — Scène Darse
In Iran, electronic music scenes have emerged in opposition to a regime that bans music and mixed-gender spaces. Many artists begin by studying traditional Iranian music before turning to electronic forms, as a way of reclaiming and honouring their cultural heritage. What kinds of electronic scenes are developing in Tehran today?
At the dawn of 2026, the Iranian population is facing violent repression for taking to the streets in protest against the regime. Following the United States’ attack on the country, which triggered a large-scale conflict in the Middle East, the question is: do artists have a political role to play, and if so, what is it?
with Nesa Azadikhah (Deep House Tehran | IR)
Moderation: Roxane Casseghari (journalist and photographer | FR/IR/CO)
More speakers to come
17:30 – 23:00
Radio Lab· Seoul Community Radio
📍Les Grandes Locos — Radio
Web radio station, creative hub and an event organiser, Seoul Community Radio, founded in 2015, is a dynamic platform at the forefront of South Korea’s underground music scene. It gives an important space for local talent to showcase forward-thinking electronic music, while also welcoming international artists passing through the city.
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, SCR has created a board game retracing its journey. Rich SCR and DJ Bowlcut, co-founders of the station, joined by special guests, will present an interactive exploration of the game for Radio Lab, sharing stories and anecdotes from a decade within Seoul’s underground scene.
17:30-18:30 – Listening session · Morsecode.kr Label Showcase with SLOWMOUTH
18:45-19:45 – Round table · A decade of Independent Underground Radio, Made in Seoul: Seoul Community Radio 10-year retrospective, with Rich SCR & DJ Bowlcut
20:00-21:00 – Round table · Stay at home or make it abroad: Growth as an independent artist from Korea, with 7ip7o3, Shakti + guests
21:00-22:00 – DJ set · SLOWMOUTH b2b DJ Bowlcut
22:00-23:00 – DJ set · 7ip7o3
Programme in English.
11:00 — 12:30
CINÉ LAB · Screening · Documentaries of The Independent Movement for Electronic Scenes (TIMES)
📍COMŒDIA
The Independent Movement for Electronic Scenes (TIMES) is a European collaboration of 10 festivals (Berlin Atonal, Elevate, Insomnia, Le Guess Who?, Nuits sonores, reworks, Semibreve, Sónar, Terraforma, Unsound) led by Arty Farty in Lyon. As part of this artistic project, documentaries have been produced tracing the creative processes of the artists in residence.
The three documentaries being presented are WILDTRACKS (2025) and A Forbidden Distance (2025) by Polish director Andrzej Załęski, as well as The Talk (2026) directed by the Italian studio Crema Video.
11:00 — 18:00
Adami Ateliers
📍Hôtel71
Meet the Artist
A conversation exploring the journey and career of an established artist from the Nuits sonores line-up
Artist to come.
Defining your artistic identity and communication strategy
It has become increasingly difficult for emerging artists to build a career without engaging with communication and social media. This workshop, led by Yann from Mama Loves Ya, offers emerging artists practical tools and guidance to better define and present their artistic identity, both online and offline, to key partners within the music ecosystem (open calls, partnerships, press relations, professional networks, etc.).
How can artists define a clear strategic position? And how can they implement an effective image and branding strategy—from visual consistency and tone to channels, storytelling, and alignment with their goals (residencies, commissions, touring, funding)?
This masterclass is reserved for Adami students.
Masterclass in French
with Yann Rachon (Mama Told Ya | FR)
Meet the Curator
As an artist, it is not always easy to highlight yourself and advocate for your work to programmers and bookers. Nuits sonores Lab, in partnership with Adami, offers emerging artists—women and gender-diverse participants —the opportunity to meet festival and cultural venue programmers.
These professionals will explain the way they work and what captures their attention many applications they receive.
The aim of the masterclass is to support participants in structuring and articulating their artistic approach, and to provide them with practical tools to better present and promote their work.
Masterclass is reserved for Adami’s students.
Masterclass in English.
with Clara Rodorigo (Terraforma / TIMES | IT)
Rocío Mateo-Sagasta (La Casa Encendida / TMLAB | ES)
16:15 — 16:45
Artist Talk · Club Caribe : The explosion of Latino-Caribbean electronic music
📍Les Grandes Locos — Scène Darse
This artist talk is part of the Rage Against The Mainstream series, developed in collaboration with TIMES, Tracks (ARTE) and the Gaîté Lyrique.
“Now everyone wants to be Latino, but they lack spice, battery and reggaeton,” sings Bad Bunny. As Latin American music jumps to the top of global charts, alternative electronic scenes from the region are also finding new audiences around the world. Their history, however, is decades-old. Notably in Spanish-speaking Caribbean areas, the cradle of countless musical traditions. From raptor house born in the barrios of Caracas, in Venezuela, to tracks inspired by Colombia’s North Coast’s picó culture : how do electronic music producers create new sounds while keeping true to their roots and identity?
with DJ Babatr
Edna Martinez
Moderation : Daphnée Denis (Tracks | ARTE)
17:30 — 23:00
Radio Lab · Radio Flouka
📍Les Grandes Locos — Radio
Founded in 2018, Radio Flouka is a politically engaged association that runs an independent web radio station from Paris. For the Radio Lab, they will combine discussions and DJ sets to showcase the rich musical cultures of the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), promote independent artists, and explore important themes ranging from solidarity with Palestine to supporting underrepresented communities across the European continent.
17h30 – 18h30 · Round table · Between folklore, orientalism and decontextualisation: what media representations for Arab electronic artists?
with Deena Abdelwahed and Sarah Miniawy, moderation: Emilie Maksaymous
8h45 – 19h45 · Listening session · The origins of electronic music in the Maghreb with Retro Cassetta, moderation : Haroun (D3MOR)
20:00 – 21:00 · Interview · Aïta Mon Amour (Khalil Epi + Widad Mjama), moderation : Haroun (D3MOR)
21:00 – 22:00 · DJ set · Koumiya
22:00 – 23:00 · DJ set · D3MOR
16:00
CINÉ LAB · Screening · Sirāt + In Depth with Kangding Ray
📍COMŒDIA
Screening + Master Class organised as part of TIMES
Following the screening, artist Kangding Ray, who composed the film’s soundtrack, will reflect on his creative process.
17:30 — 23:00
Radio Lab · Carhartt WIP Radio
📍Les Grandes Locos — Radio
Founded in 2008 by the brand Carhartt, Carhartt WIP Radio is a platform that shines a light on artists and labels from around the world. From Sahelian sounds to bass explorations, from hip-hop to eclectic electronic music, including house and techno, versatility lies at the heart of the project.
For this final day of the festival, the web radio station invites Nuits sonores to the stage to extend the festival experience, offering insight into their creative processes and their unique perspectives on the music industry.
Programme to be announced soon.
