Live Est Belle: France Focus 2026 Index Page

‘Every Show Has To Justify Its Value’ : Q’s With Arnaud Meersseman, MD, AEG Presents France

For our annual France Focus, Pollstar speaks with Arnaud Meersseman, Managing Director, AEG Presents France, touching on everything from the health of the country’s touring and festival industries to the grassroots scene and strength of domestic talent.

Meersseman also shared why he feels like the business is more healthy now than ever since the post-COVID bounce-back ; where he sees the greatest opportunities (as well as challenges) going forward; and moments that remind him of why he loves this job – the kind of all-encompassing round-up you only get when speaking to a seasoned live veteran.

‘I’m Independent, I Like The Stress’: Q’s With Matthieu Drouot, CEO, Gérard Drouot Productions

Gérard Drouot Productions is the last independent promoter operating at a major scale in France. There’s several independent promoters that are doing great business in the country, of course, but non have a portfolio the size of GDP, especially when it comes to major international tours.

It’s a lot of work to keep up with the pace of the multinational businesses GDP is competing with, but Matthieu Drouot, who today runs the business his father created in 1986, doesn’t mind. He loves his job, including the stress it places you under. He does wonder, though, if the business has become less fun than it used to be 10 to 15 years ago, and observes some of its current developments with skepticism.

But he also sees a lot of opportunities spread around all of France, and found the time amidst his busy schedule to talk about all of it.

‘Programming Is Becoming Denser Throughout The Year’: Q’s With Lily Fisher, Director, Le Zénith Paris

Arenas in France are called Zéniths. Or, to be more precise, Zéniths sit between ampitheaters and arenas in terms of their capacity. Three of them – Zénith Paris – La Villette, Zénith Nantes Métropole, and Zénith Toulouse Métropole – are managed by Colling & Cie, where Lily Fisher is a partner. She’s also the director of the Zénith in Paris, the first of its kind to open in France in 1984.

Today, there are 17 Zéniths dotted around the country, and playing a tour of Zéniths is a major milestone for any artists, international or domestic.

Pollstar spoke with Fisher about the state of play Le Zénith, and the trends that currently shape the French live scene. Stagnating,and in some instances decreasing, ticket prices, as well as a shift in seasonality of touring activity are just two of the interesting insights she talks about in this interview.

‘Arenas Are Becoming True Lifestyle Destinations’: Q’s With Marie Balsaqc, CEO Paris Entertainment Company

Paris Entertainment Company operates three landmark buildings in the Franch capital – Le Bataclan, adidas arena, and Accor Arena – comprising a total of more than 30,000 seats, and 400-plus events annually.

It’s buildings form a circuit within themselves, and there are many examples of artists who’ve performed in each of them while growing their fanbase in France. Paris Entertainment Company CEO Marie Barsaqc shares one example in this interview for Pollstar’s annual France Focus and talks about other trends shaping how her business operates, such as the rise of “sportainment”.

It’s a conversation that perfectly encapsulates the reality faced by many venue operators in France, including the challenges but especially the plethora of opportunities to meet the higher-than-ever audience expectations.

‘The Residency Changes The Very Nature Of The Show’: Q’s With Frédéric Longuépée, CEO, Plenitude Arena

The biggest indoor stadium in Europe has a new name since July: Plenitude Arena, located in La Défense, a major business dirstrict in Paris, France. At a maximum capacity of 45,000, it offer space for the biggest shows by the biggest stars without exposing spectators to the elements.

It’s also home to professional French rugby club Racing 92, and hosts major sports events throughout each year, in 2026, for instance, the Rolex Paris Masters tennis competition.

Premium corporate events complete the core offering around which Plenitude Arena has built its business, and its diverse program has grown steadily over the years. For Pollstar’s annual France Focus, we spoke with Frédéric Longuépée, CEO of Plenitude Arena – about trends, challenges and opportunities, as well as event highlights like the upcoming Céline Dion Paris residency in September and October.