Backstage at Rock en Seine 2026 with up-and-coming British singer Sekou

Cover image: arts24 © FRANCE 24

In this edition of our Arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim takes us backstage at this year's Rock en Seine music festival. More than 180,000 music lovers descended on the grounds just outside of Paris to see 80 live shows. Headliners this year included the likes of American hip-hop star Tyler, The Creator, Australian rockers Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as well as Britrock legends The Cure, who closed out the weekend in style.

FRANCE 24 spoke to up-and-coming artists like Sekou; the 21 year-old British singer with a silky, baritone voice similar to Motown legends of the past. He has numerous famous fans including the late Quincy Jones, as well as John Legend, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber.

We also look at the controversial decision by Rock en Seine to crack down on smoking at the festival. A decision brought in by regional authorities in 2025 for public health reasons, and this year for fear of wildfires.