The Parisian institution is presenting an exhibition focusing on the dazzling success of disco, a musical genre born in New York in the 1970s. A space of utopia and revolution rooted in black American history and culture.
Get out the sequins and ephants, flex your arms and sway like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever : the Philharmonie de Paris is transformed into a glittering dancefloor under the glittering disco balls! Because 2025 is a year of celebration for the institution, which is not only celebrating its 30th anniversary, but also the 10th anniversary of the Cité de la Musique. This double anniversary is accompanied by an exhibition focusing on disco, which has gone from a flamboyant aesthetic to a global phenomenon.
As Olivier Mantei, the institution's general director, and Marie-Pauline Martin, director of the Musée de la Musique, point out: "The movement emerged at the crossroads of various civil rights struggles , and accompanies or echoes the struggles of the African-American minority, the LGBTQ+ community, and feminist movements, all united in a single hedonistic impulse."
Let's dance!
Disco divas (Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor), phenomenal bands (Earth, Wind and Fire, The Jackson Five), pioneering DJs (David Mancuso), legendary labels (Motown), the first popular clubs (Paradise Garage, The Saint) and a rich mix of genres (funk, gospel, Latin and African percussion).
Between music and shows, history and manifesto, art and objects, the "Disco, I'm coming out" exhibition examines all the dimensions of this style of music. It offers a deep dive, divided into four segments, propelling us into the downtown scene of 1970s New York.
Curators Jean-Yves Leloup and Marion Challier explore its musical roots in soul and funk, its social and activist context, its appearance in black and gay clubs, its worldwide repercussions and its imprint on contemporary art, decoration, graphic design, fashion, architecture and cinema.
At the heart of its space, the Philharmonie presents a myriad of period documents, mythical photographs, contemporary works and memorabilia. All of which is enhanced by an original soundtrack mixed by Dimitri From Paris, featuring playlists and vintage recordings.
Socio-political upheavals
The curators take a close look at the birth of LGBTQ+ culture, the Stonewall riots in the face of police raids on gay bars, and the blossoming of activist groups. And let's not forget the creation of the first rainbow flag, imagined by artist and drag queen Gilbert Baker in 1978 at the instigation of Harvey Milk, then a San Francisco city councilor and figurehead of the gay community.
French disco also helped popularize the genre. Starting with the group Village People, created and produced by two Frenchmen, Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo. Next came Patrick Juvet, with his hits Où sont les femmes? and I Love America, and Patrick Hernandez, with his unique hit Born To Be Alive, dethroning the Americans on their own territory.
The exhibition continues its analysis at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s with the mutations of disco by pop, rock and variety stars such as ABBA, Kiss and Rod Stewart, right up to Madonna. And more recently, Dua Lipa and the electro generation, from Daft Punk to Breakbot.
And as usual, the Philharmonie completes this curation with concerts and shows. These include disco pioneer Cerrone, French Touch DJ and producer Dabeull, and waacking dancers (a cousin of voguing) for a 100% disco-funk intensive battle.
"DISCO, I'M COMING OUT"
CITÉ DE LA MUSIQUE _ PHILARMONIE DE PARIS
221, AVENUE JEAN-JAURÈS, PARIS 19e
FEBRUARY 14 TO AUGUST 17, 2025
