Festival Jest - Jamais d'Eux sans Toi 2026

JAMAIS D'EUX SANS TOI celebrates its sixth edition, and our conviction has not changed: the music we champion dares to surprise, disrupt and refuse to fall in line. It is music by free-spirited voices, carried by artists who have chosen creation over formula. Each evening brings together the perspectives of artists from around the world, whose artistic styles and cultural backgrounds sometimes differ. Shaped by their own histories and experiences, these artists offer a unique vision of their time. The challenge is to let these kinds of music respond to one another, jostle each other and be created together. At a time when everything encourages withdrawal and uniformity, bringing differences into dialogue is an act in itself.

JAMAIS D'EUX SANS TOI is also about meeting you. For us, a festival is not a showcase to be watched from afar. It is a shared moment in which the audience is invited to come closer, listen differently, talk with the artists and let themselves be moved. We believe in a close relationship, without barriers or intimidation, where curiosity has its place, whether you are passionate or simply curious.

JAMAIS D'EUX SANS TOI is a commitment to artists from our region. Through the BE ON program, we support the region’s emerging talents over the long term and give them the chance to share the stage as equals with established artists. This support takes time, commitment and a good deal of love. For us, passing things on and helping artists grow are at the heart of the festival project, not an afterthought.

The festival is also a space for reflection. Through the Meetup and the roundtable, we bring together music professionals: artists, labels, venues, support organizations... They all defend independence in the face of the sector’s consolidation. Together, we want to share our practices, question our models and imagine ways to preserve free, diverse and sustainable creative work.

JAMAIS D'EUX SANS TOI remains a small-scale festival that stands by its ethical choices. We want fair pay and respectful working conditions for artists and teams alike. We champion gender equality and diversity in the program. We take action to prevent violence, harassment and discrimination. We work to make the festival accessible to as many people as possible and to reduce energy consumption. These commitments are not optional: they are part of our artistic project.

At a time when rights are being rolled back and violence is gaining ground, we stand for an open Culture that helps people flourish rather than excluding them, and makes solidarity a way of working. We believe it is possible to do things differently, and we are doing so together with our partners at Cité de la Musique, Friche la Belle de Mai, GMEM and Radio Grenouille.

Defending creative work means defending the freedom to imagine and dream differently. This freedom can only be preserved together, in a shared JEST. From November 21 to 28, come and share it with us.