Built forthe 1937 International Exposition, the Palais de Tokyo in the 16th arrondissement has never been a museum like any other. Designed to house two distinct institutions—the City of Paris Museum of Modern Art on one side and a center for contemporary creation on the other—this raw concrete structure facing the Seine never ceases to experiment. This summer, it’s hosting a new form of experimentation: electronic music is taking over its garden for a series of summer events called Tokyo Waves.
Tokyo Waves: Curated by Jen Cardini
At the helm of this project is a figure who has long since proven herself on the international electronic music scene. Jen Cardini, DJ and queer icon, conceived Tokyo Waves as a natural extension of the “Normes Corps” exhibition season, currently on view within the Palais. Five afternoons of live performances and DJ sets will take place from July 12 to August 29, 2026, at the Niveau Jardin—an outdoor space nestled in the heart of the building where, for once, the concrete walls will vibrate.
The lineup is eclectic, female-led, and socially conscious: Erna, a Parisian DJ and producer, resident at Rinse France and a standout on the stages of La Machine and the Peacock Society, will perform a set alongside Vanille, the queen of techno-trance. Beatrice M, for her part, will draw on the DNA of British bass music, blending dubstep and immersive techno, whileUpsammy, a rising star of experimental music, and Kim Ann Foxman, a legendary icon of the New York club scene, round out the lineup.
Contemporary art as the common thread at the Palais de Tokyo
What sets Tokyo Waves apart from a simple cultural after-party is the way it fuses the two worlds.A ticket purchased for the event grants access to the current exhibitions, inviting the public to move from the dance floor to the contemporary art galleries without leaving the building. The Palais de Tokyo, Europe’s largest center for contemporary creation, thus becomes the stage fora dialogue between the visual arts and electronic music.
Practical information:
🗓️Dates:five afternoons between July 12 and August 29, 2026
🕔Hours:5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
📍Location:Palais de Tokyo, Garden Level, 13 avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris
🎟️Ticket:includes admission to current exhibitions
