For the past four years, the teams behind Rock en Seine and Radio Nova have worked in close collaboration to curate a programme that reflects both depth and diversity in contemporary music.
At its core, the Festival Nuits du Sud in Vence is a celebration of global sounds. It brings together artists from across cultural and geographic boundaries, weaving Caribbean rhythms with African influences, European electronic textures with Indian undertones. The result is not just a lineup, but a genuine musical journey – one where each performance becomes a meeting point for cultures, languages, and lived experiences.
This edition places particular emphasis on what makes live music irreplaceable: the shared moment. Here, music is not simply performed – it is experienced collectively. It moves across generations, cuts through stylistic divides, and dissolves borders. The festival embraces an open, inclusive vision of music, free in form, yet grounded in purpose.
Courtesy Festival Nuits du Sud
That purpose extends beyond celebration. Many of the artists featured use their work to engage with social, cultural, and environmental themes. Through sound and storytelling, they highlight music’s enduring role as a vehicle for dialogue, resistance, and connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
More than a series of concerts, the festival positions itself as a space for encounter and exchange. It is a living, breathing platform for global creativity – where every rhythm carries a narrative, and every audience member becomes part of a shared, collective experience.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Thursday, 9th July
Luiza
Luiza, the radiant French-Brazilian artist, infuses French pop with tropical warmth and colour. Following the release of her luminous debut album, she carries that bright, infectious energy into 2025. On stage, Luiza turns that vitality into something tangible – pure, shared joy. Her performances are vibrant and unifying, offering an atmosphere that is as uplifting as it is irresistible. A live act not to be missed.
Mariam Chante Amadou & Mariam
Video via Amadou & Mariam on YouTube
Mariam Doumbia, a radiant and deeply committed voice, continues to resonate across the world after more than four decades of musical partnership with Amadou Bagayoko. As co-founder of the iconic duo Amadou & Mariam, she helped shape a sound that seamlessly blended Malian traditions with pop influences, carrying universal messages of peace and connection. Following Amadou’s passing last year, Mariam has carried that legacy forward with remarkable strength. Each performance now stands as both tribute and continuation – an expression of resilience, love, and the enduring bond between people. With the release of Amadou & Mariam: L’Amour à la folie (Love Madly), she reaffirms her artistic independence and emotional power, proving once again her ability to unite audiences through music that is both deeply personal and universally felt.
Friday, 10th July
Maya Kamaty
Rooted in a rich legacy of activism and cultural expression, Maya Kamaty draws on her Réunion heritage to boldly reimagine tradition. Following the critical success of Santié Papang, she pushes further with Pandiyé, a striking fusion of ancestral rhythms and electronic textures. With Sovaz, she sharpens her voice even more, delivering urban Creole lyrics over incisive basslines and raw, unfiltered energy. The result is a bold, contemporary statement, carried by a female voice that is both fearless and uncompromising. On stage, Kamaty’s magnetic presence turns every performance into a visceral experience.
Kassav’
Video via SunSka Festival on YouTube
With over 5 million album sales, a career spanning four decades, and pioneers of zouk, the renowned group Kassav’ has captivated the world, becoming a global phenomenon in the process. Led by Jacob Desvarieux, Georges Décimus, and Jocelyne Béroard, the group delivers an irresistible energy, fueled by gwo-ka and ti-bwa rhythms. A strong cultural heritage, social commitment, and vibrant rhythms: one name, one sound, millions of memories…
Saturday, 11th July
Bakermat
Bakermat, a standout figure in today’s electronic scene, continues to shape a distinctive and forward-looking sound. Emerging with the breakthrough hit Vandaag – a seamless blend of house, jazz, and the iconic I Have a Dream speech – the Dutch producer quickly carved out a musical identity that feels both original and instantly recognisable. His style, warm and deeply feel-good, embodies a new wave of European electronic music—one that values melody, emotion, and connection as much as rhythm. Modern, authentic, and unifying, Bakermat brings an infectious energy to the stage, delivering sets designed to keep the crowd moving long into the night.
Breakbot & Irfane
Breakbot stands as one of the defining figures of a new generation in French electronic music, embodying the evolution of the French Touch into its modern era. A key artist on Ed Banger Records, he broke through globally with Baby I’m Yours, his 2010 collaboration with Irfane—now a staple of contemporary electronic culture. His sound, rooted in funk, disco, and sleek production, carries a warmth that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. On stage, Breakbot’s luminous energy turns every set into a vibrant, collective celebration, effortlessly danceable and deeply unifying. With a signature style designed to bring generations together, he remains a guaranteed spark on any dance floor.
Thursday, 16th July
Soom T (DJ Set)
Video via Soom T Official on YouTube
A true queen of raggamuffin, Soom T commands attention with an unmistakable flow and unrelenting energy. With over two decades of performing, she has built a reputation that blends artistry with activism. Scottish of Indian descent, and an activist at her core, she turns every performance into both a political statement and a musical force. Her sharp lyricism, fearless voice, and distinctive raggamuffin style cut through, whether on major festival stages or in underground clubs. Soom T delivers more than a concert – she creates a space of truth, resistance, and collective release. Her presence transcends generations, carried by a message that is as urgent as it is unifying.
Danakil
For over 20 years, Danakil has embodied a spirit of independence, collective energy, and musical freedom. Emerging from underground venues, the group has steadily grown into a major live act. On stage, there is no artifice – just raw energy, deep grooves, and socially conscious lyrics that place the audience at the centre of the experience. Each performance becomes more than a concert: it is a shared moment, a celebration where generations come together and sing as one. Fiercely independent, Danakil continues to turn its live shows into powerful, immersive gatherings – where music, activism, and a sense of community meet in full force.
Friday, 17th July
Kolinga
Blending Bantu heritage with contemporary influences and jazz, Kolinga – meaning “to love” in Lingala – channels a vibrant, connecting energy. Led by Rébecca M’Boungou, the project turns music into a space of transmission and transformation. Each song gives voice to untold stories, celebrates the strength of women, and questions our relationship with the living world, awakening awareness without ever losing its rhythmic pulse. On stage, M’Boungou’s magnetic presence and powerful delivery drive an organic, deeply felt sound. Kolinga’s live performances become immersive experiences, where rhythms flow freely and audiences move as one.
Véronique Sanson
Video via Véronique Sanson Officiel YouTube channel
A living legend of French song for over five decades, Véronique Sanson continues to captivate with her unmistakable voice and luminous piano playing. As a songwriter, composer, and performer, she has created a repertoire of enduring classics, including Drôle de vie, shaping a singular style that blends vibrant pop with subtle jazz influences. On stage, every note carries weight, every lyric finds its mark. Surrounded by her longtime band, she nurtures a deep, almost instinctive connection with her audience, one built on emotion, trust, and shared history.
Saturday, 18th July
Magic System
Magic System embodies a contagious energy that transcends generations. From 1er Gaou to Magic In The Air, the Ivorian group has built a catalogue of anthems that turn every crowd into a shared celebration of joy and togetherness. As pioneers of modern zouglou, A’Salfo, Tino, Goudé, and Manadja have crafted a sound rooted in rhythm, resilience, and community – one that continues to resonate across borders and ages alike. On stage, their infectious spirit takes over. Every chorus becomes collective, every beat invites movement. The result is a vibrant, unifying show – pure good vibes, built for a truly communal celebration.
Ben L’Oncle Soul
Video via Ben l’Oncle Soul on YouTube
Ben l’Oncle Soul brings a vibrant, free-spirited energy to French soul, shaping a sound that is as warm as it is deeply human. Carried by his distinctive voice and an infectious groove, he bridges classic soul influences with modern rhythms, connecting effortlessly with audiences across generations. On stage, his universe unfolds as a true celebration – generous, uplifting, and made for movement. Each performance becomes a shared moment where music brings people together, frees the spirit, and keeps the dance floor alive. A committed artist, he infuses his work with values of freedom, respect, and cultural openness, giving his music both purpose and lasting resonance.
TICKETING
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 editiion of Festival Nuits du Sud in Vence and may be reserved online. There are a number of options available:
- Advance ticket sales (€22 to €30)
- Full price tickets (€32 to €39)
- Reduced price tickets (€27 to €35)
- Festival Pass (€170)
- Pass Culture (for those aged 17 to 20 inclusive – to use your credit, go to the Culture Pass app)
Video via Festival Nuits du Sud on YouTube
VISITOR INFORMATION
Festival Nuits du Sud runs over six nights from 9th to 18th July, 2026 in Vence
Tickets available online and from usual outlets
Doors open each evening at 7:30 pm, concerts start at 8:30 pm. Venue closes at 0:30 am.
The venue is accessible to Persons of Reduced Mobility with on-site dedicated parking, dedicated accessible restroom facilities and on-site volunteers. Further information on FAQ section (Dispositif PMR) of festival website.
VENUE DETAILS
Festival Nuits du Sud
Place du Grand Jardin
06140 Vence
PHOTO CREDITS
- Lead image by Angry._.Kat on Unsplash, licenced under the Unsplash License
- All other images and videos as credited
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