Best Live Music Podcasts in Paris: Your Ultimate Guide

If you live in Paris or just landed for a summer of concerts, music podcasts can feel like a backstage pass to the city’s scene. You get artist interviews, gig reviews, and those little stories that make Parisian nightlife so addictive—without the queue outside Le Trianon. Podcasts have exploded in the French capital, filling Metro rides and café breaks with everything from jazz at Sunset Sunside to indie acts you’d usually stumble across in Pigalle.

It’s not just a big city trend—some of the best podcasts zero in on Paris’s unique mix: old cabarets, electro hotspots, or intimate banter about the annual Fête de la Musique. Some focus on French talent, chatting with local legends, while others bring in voices from the global circuit you might spot at Les Vieilles Charrues or Rock en Seine. You’ll find shows tailored for French speakers, plus plenty in English for expats and visitors who want insider tips before aiming for that next gig.

• Why Paris Loves Live Music Podcasts
• Top French-Language Picks for Local Flavor
• Best English-Language Podcasts for Expats and Tourists
• Podcasts Featuring Paris Venues and Events
• Tips for Listening on the Move in Paris
• Finding Your Next Local Concert Through Podcasts

Why Paris Loves Live Music Podcasts

Music is basically Paris’s second language. The city hosts more concerts each week than any other spot in France. People squeeze into crowded bars in Bastille and mill around open-air pop-ups under the Pont Alexandre III, always looking for the next sound. But packed calendars and endless Métro commutes mean Parisians don’t always make it to live shows. That’s one reason why Paris live music podcasts hit the sweet spot—they fit into busy city lives, letting locals stay plugged into the scene even when they’re on the go.

Parisian music fans have never had it easier when it comes to keeping up with gigs, artist news, or even debating last night’s setlist at L’Olympia. Tons of podcasts offer exclusive live recordings, interviews with local bands, and updates on famous spots like Le Bataclan or La Cigale. It’s not just hype; podcasts boost ticket sales, keep local venues in the conversation, and build a kind of community. They act as a bridge, especially when you think about how tickets for major concerts can disappear in an hour—or when a strike shuts the Metro but you still want a dose of music culture.

What’s wild is how many Parisians are actually tuning in. Here’s a quick look at music-related podcast listening in Paris, stacked against the national average:

Podcasts also help break down those classic Parisian bubbles—east vs west, student vs pro, French vs expat. Whether you’re looking for fresh hip-hop from the 20th arrondissement or diving into French chanson with older neighbors, you’ll find a show built for you. It’s about feeling connected, not just to the bands, but to the city’s ever-changing rhythm, traffic jams and all. In Paris, podcasts let everyone—from teens in Montparnasse to jazz lovers near Saint-Germain—share a soundtrack without ever having to fight for a front-row spot.

Top French-Language Picks for Local Flavor

Paris is buzzing with French-language podcasts that get right into the heart of the city’s music scene. If you want true local flavor, start with "La Poudre au Soleil"—a Spotify France original. Every week, it lets you hear from indie artists and Parisian producers, sometimes even recording live from Belleville bars or Montmartre studios. The vibe is so authentic you’ll almost smell the espresso.

For something different, check out "No Fun – Le Podcast Musique". Hosted by Mehdi Maïzi, this one dives deep into French rap, underground clubs, and trending Parisian genres. It doesn’t just review tracks; it discusses where you might actually catch these acts, from small venues like Le Pop-Up du Label to bigger events at Philharmonie de Paris. As Mehdi joked in a recent episode, "À Paris, si tu ne trouves pas de concert, c’est que tu ne cherches pas assez."

“La scène musicale française bouge sans cesse, et Paris en est le cœur battant.” — Télérama Sortir, April 2025

• "La Poudre au Soleil" – Indie French acts, live sessions, artist interviews.
• "No Fun – Le Podcast Musique" – Hip-hop, electronic, Paris club culture.
• "La Playlist de France Inter" – Mainstream hits plus local gems, streaming daily with updates from Paris concert halls.
• "Encore!" – Features up-and-coming artists, often recorded at local institutions like Bataclan or Café de la Danse.

Fun fact: According to Médiamétrie’s report from March 2025, 42% of podcast listeners in Paris tune in at least once a week, and music is the third most popular category behind news and comedy. Why does that matter? Parisian listeners trust podcasts to find out what’s happening in real time—often before big music mags even break the news.

If you don’t speak much French yet, some of these offer quick episode notes in English, so you get the gist before catching the next gig. Pro tip: subscribe to your favorites and set up notifications so you never miss an announcement about a pop-up show or ticket drop for a sold-out concert in Paris.

Best English-Language Podcasts for Expats and Tourists

If you’re new in Paris or just passing through, finding the right podcasts in English connects you to the Paris live music scene fast. Some podcasts stand out for helping internationals navigate the French capital’s nightlife while staying in the loop with gigs and trends.

One top choice is "The Earful Tower," which frequently features local musicians and covers everything from upcoming Paris concerts to classic venues you’ve probably seen on postcards. The show often throws in quirky stories, like the history of Montmartre’s jazz basements or tips for scoring tickets at Olympia without breaking your bank.

"Lost in Frenchlation" isn’t only about cinema—it sometimes spotlights Parisian music events, especially bilingual ones where you mingle with both Parisians and other expats. Another one to check is "Paris Underground Radio," where hosts do deep dives into the city’s music scene, highlight indie bands playing at spots like La Maroquinerie, and even share news about pop-up rooftop gigs that almost no travel books mention.

If you love festival vibes, "Festival Fever" gives weekly rundowns on what’s hot in Paris and beyond, making it great for anyone who wants to catch acts at Jazz à la Villette or keep tabs on the Rock en Seine lineup. All these are usually available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, so you don’t even need French app know-how.

Here’s a quick comparison of what these podcasts offer for expats and tourists:

Quick tip: Data can be spotty on the Metro, so try downloading a few episodes in advance—especially if you’re headed to a gig in the outer arrondissements.

Podcasts Featuring Paris Venues and Events

The coolest thing about live music podcasts in Paris? Lots of them take you straight inside the city’s most famous venues—no ticket needed. If you’re curious about backstage stories at places like L’Olympia or Le Bataclan, check out “Live à Paris.” Every month, they feature exclusive interviews with bands that just finished playing, plus candid takes from venue managers who know every corner of the local scene.

Don’t sleep on “FIP Concerts,” a podcast made by the team behind France’s much-loved FIP radio. They often broadcast whole concerts from cozy clubs like La Cigale or the modern jazz hub New Morning. Sometimes, you’ll even get bite-sized summaries of events happening that week or highlights from storied Parisian festivals—handy if you want to catch a last-minute indie or electro gig.

• "Le Podcast du Supersonic" showcases rising acts direct from the Bastille area’s Supersonic club, with honest crowd reactions (sometimes rowdy, always real).
• "Concerts Parisiens" keeps tabs on L’International, Petit Bain (yes, that boat!), and Point Éphémère. You’ll hear reviews, snippets of live soundchecks, and tips on scoring tickets to sold-out showcases.
• During events like Fête de la Musique, several podcasts—“La Nuit Parisienne,” for example—drop special episodes, sharing stories from bands busking on the street right up to secret pop-ups in Belleville.

These podcasts make it easy to plan your nights out or just stay connected if you’re missing your favorite Paris live music spots. To give you a sense of scale, Paris puts on an average of 1,000+ live gigs every month—many of them covered by local shows. Here’s a quick look at a few iconic venues and how often podcasts feature them:

Pro tip: follow these podcasts on your favorite platform and turn on notifications when you’re eyeing a headline act—it’s the easiest way to catch behind-the-scenes gossip, ticket drops, or exclusive recordings from last night’s show.

Tips for Listening on the Move in Paris

Whether you’re crossing the city by Metro or waiting for a bus along Boulevard Saint-Germain, tuning into your favorite Paris live music podcast doesn’t have to eat your mobile data or leave you with crackly sound. Here’s how to get your audio fix on the go without hassle.

First, download episodes in advance. Most podcast apps, like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the popular French option Podcast Addict, let you save episodes straight to your phone. Paris Metro tunnels aren’t kind to streaming. Downloading before you leave home—especially if you have a tight window between connections—means you won’t have your playlist cut off.

• Leverage free WiFi. The Metro offers free WiFi at over 300 stations, so you can sneak in a quick download if you forgot.
• Pick noise-canceling headphones to block out the classic Paris street hustle, especially if you’re hopping off at Châtelet at rush hour.
• Check your phone’s settings to automatically switch downloads to WiFi only. It saves data for streaming tunes at Parc des Buttes-Chaumont when you’re out with friends.

If you rely on limited data plans, keep track of how much you use. Listening to one hour of a standard podcast uses about 60MB of data. For five hours a week, that’s roughly 1.2GB per month. Here’s a handy table for keeping an eye on your usage:

One last tip: if you’re using shared bikes like Vélib’ or scooters from brands like Dott, wireless earbuds make it easy to keep the music going, but keep one ear open for traffic and, well, Parisian drivers. Staying safe and catching every riff in your Paris live music podcasts—win-win.

Finding Your Next Local Concert Through Podcasts

Podcasts have become a super handy tool for finding what’s on in the Paris live music scene. Forget endless scrolling through ticket sites—some of the most popular music shows now feature weekly gig picks or live event calendars, often with the bonus of interviews from artists playing soon in the city.

For example, the podcast "No Fun" drops regular updates about which bands are headlining L’Olympia and details on upcoming indie nights in Montmartre. "La Potion," a Radio Nova mainstay, often spins previews of upcoming jazz and electronic acts you can catch live that weekend. If you prefer mixing music intel with practical tips, "Concerts à Paris" covers lineup changes, venue capacity, even which bar has the shortest queue at La Maroquinerie; it’s all from folks who actually go to these concerts.

You can also spot podcasts tied directly to ticket platforms like Digitick and OuiLive, which use their episodes to promote last-minute gigs or highlight festivals like Rock en Seine before anyone else.

• Sign up for show notes emails (many podcasts send gig reminders straight into your inbox).
• Join their social media communities—listeners often tip each other off about secret shows or cheap tickets in Paris.
• Some podcasts update a Spotify or Deezer playlist so you can instantly hear who’s coming to town before RSVP-ing for tickets.

If you're trying not to miss out on popular events, check out a show’s listeners stats or ratings. More popular podcasts often snag exclusive invites, meaning real-time info on secret pop-ups or hidden venues. And if you ride the Metro a lot, downloading episodes in advance avoids the usual data blackspots between stations like République and Gare de Lyon.

So next time you fire up your favorite Paris live music podcast, remember—you're not just listening in, you’re staying ahead of the crowd and maybe even grabbing that last ticket before the rest of Paris finds out.