Le Fimu, “from a popular festival to an increasingly strong international recognition”
After revisiting the evolutions of the International Music Festival (FIMU), its director Julian Catusse explains how artists are selected and how the event “marks the construction of their career.” The International Music Festival (formerly the International University Music Festival) was created in 1987. Since focusing more on artistic quality, it has shone beyond the borders of the territory and across the world. Julian Catusse, who became director of FIMU three years ago, discusses the reasons for this recognition and the growing interest that programmers have in the event.
What changes has FIMU experienced since its creation?
“Initially, it was teachers from UTBM, passionate about music, who invited foreign orchestras. Two years later, the city of Belfort joined in and supported the event with them. For almost three decades, it has been a major popular celebration. With the arrival of Matthieu Spiegel in 2016, my predecessor, the selection of artists emerged and became more specific over the years. From that point on, our international recognition has become increasingly strong.”
What evidence do you have of this?
“10 years ago, we only received 500 applications. Since then, as we attract more and more programmers, more and more groups want to come. Last year, we received 1325 applications, which was already an absolute record. This year, we have received 426 more, from a total of 87 represented countries. It’s a great indicator, but it also makes us worry about the next edition. Quietly, it’s already a lot of artists for the ears of 10 juries.”
On what criteria are they selected?
“We tell them to put points on those they want to see on stage, which allows us to have as many artists with 10 views on Spotify as those with 15,000. Since we only base ourselves on listening, we can also make mistakes. But thanks to that, we have the luxury of having experts in their field. This year, for example, we have the producer of Damso, Nonstop Productions, and the guy is clearly a rap heavyweight.”
What opportunities are there for the artists?
“Already, all those who apply are listened to by music producers from around the world, like Wax Booking, and that’s huge. The selected groups do not all have a ‘before’ and ‘after’. However, FIMU marks the construction of their career, if only in terms of visibility. The Arsenal has a maximum capacity of 9,000 spectators, for some, it will remain their biggest stage for a long time. Considering that these are artists at the very beginning of their emergence, still in the shadows in their own country.”
