Strasbourg Music Week Metal, a genre cultivated in the Euro-region: Myth or reality?

Pascal Gueugue, at 50, has had what he describes as an unconventional career path, transitioning from a journalist specialized in international affairs to music (his passion).

With a background in Political Science, Law, and a Master's in International Security, he started his career as a journalist in Lyon... After facing some professional disillusionments, he joined FNAC and realized his desire to work in culture and music. 

He experimented with entrepreneurship, communication, artist management, concert production, educational direction, and professional training... Drawing from these diverse experiences and numerous encounters, he eventually took on with great enthusiasm the leadership of the project for the Federation of Metal Music.

Officially established in late 2022, the Federation of Metallic Music was born out of a simple observation: the lack of structuring within the Metal industry, its lack of professionalization, and its marginalization compared to other musical genres hinder its development... Today it counts "over 50 members and 50 affiliated structures, and the idea is to build a map with all the metal actors in France, to gather all this information: venues, record stores, the entire industry." (Madbreiz)

Pat is Founding member of ROCK4Future, the first networking & showcase festival for heavy music in Switzerland.

But also CEO of ROYAL MUSIC RESEARCH, the prime place to be for any kind of music and performance related services such as consulting, networking, management, performing, writing or presenting.
He is alos stage host for Switzerlands biggest rock and metal festival, GREENFIELD FESTIVAL, and guitarist in different rock/metal bands over 20 years (currently FIVE RUSTY HORIZONS).
And additionally journalist for Metal Factory, Headbangers Lifestyle, stage host for Fantasy Basel & Zurich Pop Con and former radio host for Rascal Radio and former TV host for Musig Pub TV. 

Rock4future Festival is the event that serves as a national and international platform and aims to encourage exchange among various stakeholders in the scene (including festival and club bookers, magazine managers, agents, etc.) to collectively lay the groundwork for the next generation of "headline acts." 
The promotional association specifically aims to bridge the gaps between French-speaking Switzerland, German-speaking Switzerland, and Ticino, overcome language barriers, and promote the export of bands abroad.

"In Switzerland, we have a lot of fantastic support: within the ROCK & METAL scene (and all its sub-genres), there are those committed to preserving and promoting these genres."

However, the current demands on music creators and cultural industry players are increasing significantly, both in the amateur and professional domains. Particularly in the ROCK & METAL genres, there's often a lack of significant financial resources, structures, the right contacts, and experience to establish a band, a series of concerts, or a long-term festival.

Moreover, "harder" bands are becoming less prevalent in the lineups of (major) Swiss festivals. Big "headline acts" are becoming scarcer, and the "old guard" of rock legends will dissolve in the coming years. 
In short, there's a lack of succession and targeted subsidies to build the next generation of headline acts. After all, it should still be possible to attend "harder" live concerts in 20 years or more! 

The aim is to highlight the key skills of Swiss protagonists (including bands, professionals, service providers, and long-time supporters of the scene) and to support each other - especially to survive in the highly competitive international market or to find one's place.

Author of a thesis entitled "Anthropological Approach to the Hellfest Festival as a Pilgrimage Site for Metalheads," Corentin Charbonnier holds a PhD in anthropology and conducts statistical research for various metal festivals in France.

Specializing in metal culture and its audience, while actively involved in the scene, he teaches sociology at the ASH department of the University of Tours. In addition, he is the author of books, photographs, and documentaries on metal culture and serves as co-curator of the exhibition at the Philharmonie de Paris: Metal - Diabolus In Musica.

Scott Kutting has been active in the Luxembourgish music scene since his early teenage years, first as a passionate spectator, then as a musician on stage with various projects like Fusion Bomb and Blanket Hill. 

Since the Grand-Duchy’s own music industry is still in its infancy, he is always on the lookout for cooperative approaches that help Luxembourgish artists to get access to the music industry abroad. 
Recently Scott joined the non-profit organization Attitude Music a.s.b.l. that promotes concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events in the Greater Region. 

Apart from running a management agency 'Devil in a Box’, Thomas Van Dingenen has also been active as a European agent with Toutpartout Agency, taking care of international bookings for the more heavy bands in the roster (Hippotraktor, Cobra The Impaler, Bark, …). 

Toutpartout has been around since 1994. Founded and lead by Steven Thomassen, the agency has been taking care of European / UK bookings for bands of all genres. From Kurt Vile to Amenra, from Brutus to Mdou Moctar.

The agency started during the pandemic an online vinyl recordshop called ‘Guided By Records’. Their aim is to sell only records they personally LOVE! An adventurous label for good alternative music (LABELMAN)! 
For several years, Toutpartout did the radio and press promotion for independent distribution company ‘Konkurrent’ they worked for Sub Pop, Matador, Cityslang, Kitty Yo, Rough Trade, Merge, Secretly Canadian, Stickman, Chemical Underground, K-Records … They also ran their own physical recordstore (JJ Records – Hasselt) for 5 years. 
They’re the promoter behind the Autumn Falls festival happening all over Belgium from late september till mid december. 
Steven sometimes acts as a Tourmanager. He needs to like the music and the humans behind the music (at least they need to be interesting) Were sitting in his car/van in the past : Bill Callahan (Smog), Kurt Vile & The Violators, Quasi, Lisa Germano, Phosphorescent, Jana Hunter, Michael Gira (Swans/Angels of Light), Br. Danielson, The Thermals, Scout Niblett, Vincent Gallo, South San Gabriel, Centro-Matic, Undertow Orchestra (Vic Chesnutt, Mark Eitzel, David Bazan, Will Johnson),… 
So it’s all about ‘Music and Love to Art’.