The festival of current and emerging music in Grenoble
Created in 1999 around the independent record store Magic Bus, the Festival Magic Bus has become over the years an essential event for current music in Grenoble. Organized by the association Retour de Scène, it offers an eclectic program mixing local emerging artists and national headliners, in a spirit of discovery, conviviality and accessibility. Each year, the festival takes over different venues in Grenoble and culminates in major festive evenings bringing together several thousand spectators around the contemporary Isère music scene.
The Festival Magic Bus was born in 1999 from a solidarity and passionate initiative: to support the Grenoble independent record store "Magic Bus", which was threatened with closure. What was originally just a benefit concert naturally transformed, from its second edition, into a true festival dedicated to the promotion and discovery of current and amplified music in the Grenoble area.
The association Retour de Scène, with over twenty years of experience, is the driving force behind the Festival Magic Bus. Based in Grenoble, it actively participates in the development and accessibility of contemporary music in the Isère region. Its commitment is reflected in a demanding and generous program, which showcases local artists while inviting recognized figures from the national and international scene.
The festival is 100% driven by Retour de Scène, committed to vibrant and inclusive culture. This independence guarantees complete artistic freedom and strong proximity to audiences and artists.
The strength of the Festival Magic Bus lies in its eclecticism. Each edition offers a rich and varied panorama of current music: pop, rock, electro, hip-hop, rap, world music, French chanson and many other styles cross and respond to each other on the festival stages. The program systematically highlights emerging artists from the Grenoble and Alpine scene, who share the bill with confirmed names from the French scene.
This philosophy of discovery and sharing is at the heart of the festival's identity. Spectators come as much to see their favorite artists as to be surprised by new talents. The festival thus plays an essential role as a launchpad for local artists, offering them valuable visibility to a curious and benevolent audience.
The Festival Magic Bus is distinguished by its traveling format, taking over several emblematic venues in Grenoble and its surrounding area. Among the places that host the festival are venues such as La Bifurk, L'Ampérage, La Belle Électrique, and the Centre culturel L'Ilyade in Seyssinet-Pariset. For anniversary editions, the festival sets up at the Palais des Sports de Grenoble, offering an exceptional configuration with an indoor stage and an outdoor stage dedicated to local discoveries.
This mobility allows the festival to reach diverse audiences, to bring cultural venues in the region to life, and to create different atmospheres from one evening to another, between intimate small-scale settings and the energy of large venues.
True to its values of openness and accessibility, the Festival Magic Bus offers modest prices and includes free concerts in its program. The festival is aimed at all audiences, from seasoned music lovers to the simply curious, from families to night owls. The warm and friendly atmosphere that prevails at each edition makes it a special moment for meeting and sharing around live music.
The 25th edition of the Festival Magic Bus will take place on May 29 and 30, 2026, at the Palais des Sports in Grenoble. For this anniversary, Retour de Scène offers two exceptional evenings with an indoor stage and an outdoor stage, featuring seventeen artists and groups including Suzane, Odezenne, Synapson, Adèle Castillon, and Mezerg.
To celebrate its quarter-century, the Festival Magic Bus will be held at the Palais des Sports de Grenoble on May 29 and 30, 2026. This anniversary edition marks a turning point in the festival's history with an unprecedented configuration: an indoor stage specially set up to welcome the audience in the best conditions and an outdoor stage dedicated to the latest discoveries from the local scene.
True to its DNA, the festival offers a program that mixes national headliners and emerging artists in a spirit of celebration and discovery. Seventeen artists and groups will perform on the two stages over these two exceptional evenings.
The first evening promises to be emotionally charged with Suzane, a committed electro-pop artist whose poignant lyrics and stage energy have captivated the French public. Adèle Castillon, a revelation of the French pop scene, will bring her overflowing creativity and unique universe. Luiza will complete this trio of headliners with her luminous pop and catchy melodies. The evening will also feature Ada Unn, Blue Laïka, Yoh TNT, and Bernadette, emerging artists from the current scene.
The second evening promises varied atmospheres with Odezenne, an unclassifiable trio from Bordeaux navigating between rap, electro, and chanson. Mezerg, an extraordinary pianist and performer, will offer a unique visual and sound show. Synapson in DJ Set will close the evening with their danceable electro productions. The program also includes Aora Paradox, Collectif Incr, Mogan, Deklicat, Ness, M'TOE, and ENUO.
This 25th edition is set to be a major event in Grenoble's cultural life, celebrating a quarter-century of musical discoveries, sharing, and conviviality in service of current music.
By car: The Palais des Sports de Grenoble is located at 14 Boulevard Clemenceau, 38000 Grenoble. From the A480 motorway, take the exit towards Grenoble-Centre and then follow Boulevard Clemenceau. The festival is accessible in about 1 hour 15 minutes from Lyon, 1 hour from Valence, and 45 minutes from Chambéry.
By tram: Line C, "Hôtel de Ville" stop (3 minutes walk). Line A, "Chavant" stop (5 minutes walk). Line E, "Esplanade" stop (immediately nearby).
By bus: Lines 12, 13, C, E, 83, 15, C1, T87, X02, "Flandrin-Valmy" stop (6 minutes walk). The TAG network extensively serves the Palais des Sports area.
Several parking lots are available near the Palais des Sports:
It is recommended to prioritize public transport, as parking may be limited on festival evenings.
Tickets are available online on the official Retour de Scène website and on partner ticketing platforms (Shotgun, See Tickets). The festival offers day tickets and two-day passes. Prices start from approximately 38 euros. Children under 3 years old have free access (upon presentation of proof of age at the entrance). A 50% discount is granted to children under 14 years old upon request at [email protected].
During traveling editions in various venues, some concerts are offered free of charge.
The Palais des Sports de Grenoble has spaces adapted for people with reduced mobility. A public transport stop is located less than 500 meters away. For any specific accessibility requests, please contact the Retour de Scène team before the event.
A food court and a bar are set up at the festival site during the major editions at the Palais des Sports. Food outlets and bars are also present in partner venues during traveling editions.
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Palais des Sports de Grenoble et salles partenaires
14 Boulevard Clemenceau, 38000 Grenoble