Les Foudres 2026: French Metal in Prime Time
On December 10, 2026, Les Foudres will take the stage at the Bataclan in Paris for its second edition, featuring fourteen categories, four bands performing live, and, most notably, its first-ever prime-time broadcast on France 4 and france.tv. Organized by Paris Entertainment Company and the Fédération des Musiques Métalliques, the ceremony aims to use this national platform to showcase the full diversity of a scene that certainly cannot be easily summed up.
A metal awards ceremony broadcast on a national channel on a Thursday night: the idea would have raised a smile just a few years ago. Yet on December 10, Les Foudres returns to the Bataclan for its second edition, this time airing in prime time on France 4 and france.tv. Following an initial trial run in 2025, the event organized by Paris Entertainment Company (which also manages the Accor Arena and the Adidas Arena) and the Fédération des Musiques Métalliques is now reaching a much wider audience.
Changing the Stage Without Changing the Tone
The risk with prime time is wanting to please everyone. Hélène Calmels, director of the Bataclan, promises that the evening will stay true to the genre’s traditions. For her, the goal is to introduce the general public to a scene they know little about, not to water it down.
The 2025 winners show that it has what it takes to go global: the two bands that won last year have a very busy year ahead. Gojira, already a leading force in French metal long before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, is playing to sold-out crowds in the United States, and Landmvrks is now touring Latin America.
An Expanding List of Awards
The real change lies in the list of awards, which now includes fourteen categories, five of which are new. Two look beyond France’s borders or toward Clisson: International Artist of the Year and Best French Performance at Hellfest. Three are aimed at those involved in the bands’ support networks and are subject to a public vote: Editorial Project (books, comics, manga), Artwork (album covers, posters, merchandise), and Social and Environmental Commitment. In total, nine categories will be open for voting starting October 19. In other words, the music scene is also celebrated through its writers, illustrators, and initiatives; not just its musicians.
Four Live Bands Promoting Diversity
The evening’s live lineup speaks volumes about the richness of the scene. Igorrr, Ashen, Sun, and Alta Rossa are in completely different leagues: we go from Igorrr’s hybrid and unpredictable metal to Ashen’s metalcore, from Sun’s “Brutal Pop” to Alta Rossa’s dark post-metal.
Gathered on the Bataclan stage, they’ll show that there isn’t just one kind of French metal, but several, all coexisting without being alike. In front of them, the mosh pit will be open to the audience, and Hélène Calmels hopes to see the same fervor there as last year.
It remains to be seen whether metal will be able to hold its own in front of the cameras. We’ll find out in a few weeks.
Practical Information
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2026
Venue: Bataclan, Paris
Broadcast: in prime time on France 4 and france.tv
Ticket sales: open via Ticketmaster
Public voting: starting October 19, for nine categories
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