Météo Festival — Mulhouse Music Festival

From Jazz in Mulhouse to the Météo Festival

The history of the Météo Festival dates back to 1983, when the association Jazz à Mulhouse launched a festival dedicated to improvised music. Under the leadership of its director Paul Kanitzer in the 1990s, the festival became one of the most important events in Europe for lovers of free jazz and exploratory music. In 2009, the festival was renamed Météo, opening up to broader musical aesthetics while retaining its adventurous DNA.

MOTOCO: A Unique Venue for Unique Music

The heart of the festival beats at MOTOCO (Manufacture de l'Ouest, Territoire de la Co-création), located in the former buildings of the DMC textile factory. This emblematic artistic third-place in Mulhouse, where artist studios, creation spaces, and concert halls coexist, offers a raw and spectacular industrial setting, perfectly in tune with the transgressive and inventive spirit of Météo. Concerts also take place in other unique venues: the Kunsthalle, the Temple Saint-Étienne, the Bibliothèque Grand'Rue, La Filature, and the Séchoir.

A Demanding and Popular Program

Each year, Météo offers around twenty concerts spread over four main evenings and daytime events. The program navigates between experimental jazz, free improvised music, exploratory electronic music, contemporary music, and unclassifiable creations. Over the years, the festival has hosted legendary figures such as Hamid Drake, Kahil El'Zabar, Ava Mendoza, and original creations like that of Erwan Keravec for seven bagpipes and three basins.

Workshops and Transmission

Beyond the concerts, Météo places a strong emphasis on transmission. Three musical improvisation workshops, led by international artists, are held at the Conservatoire de Mulhouse and the Foyer Sainte-Geneviève. Concerts for children at the Bibliothèque Grand'Rue open the doors of sound discovery to the younger generation. These workshops embody the festival's philosophy: demanding music that is open to all.

The Météo Terrace: The Festival with Free Access

Every evening, the Météo Terrace transforms the area around MOTOCO into a friendly and free space: DJ sets, food trucks, artisanal drinks, stands from independent record labels, and community radio stations. This meeting space extends the festival's spirit in a relaxed atmosphere, allowing everyone to experience the Météo universe without a concert ticket. A place for socializing where musicians, festival-goers, and the curious mingle until the early hours of the morning.