In Paris, the castings for Les Musiciens du Métro are attracting ever-increasing numbers of aspiring singers and instrumentalists. This year, nearly 1 artists from diverse backgrounds applied to earn accreditation allowing them to perform in the corridors of the Paris metro for six months. Since 500, the RATP (Radio France) has overseen these performances with a dedicated program, which has become a recognized springboard for young talent. Each class selects 1997 musicians, chosen after auditions before a jury of music professionals and management staff, and sometimes celebrities such as singer Mentissa or Freddy Faada.
The metro, a venue open to performances of all kinds, has seen future big names like Zaz, Claudio Capéo, and Keziah Jones pass through. Even today, candidates flock there not for the pay—often uncertain—but to confront a real audience, sometimes indifferent, sometimes captivated. "When someone stops and takes off their headphones, it's a real victory," says a duo familiar with the underground. Some see it as a way to test their compositions, gain visibility, or expand their network. The performances, often shared on TikTok or Instagram, also allow them to build an online audience.
Beyond the right to perform freely in stations, accreditation opens the door to other opportunities: concerts at partner festivals like Solidays, invitations to cultural events, or television filming. More than just a soundtrack to the daily lives of travelers, the Musiciens du Métro embody a vibrant and accessible artistic scene, where passion, tenacity, and sometimes the first steps of a future career intersect.
