INTERVIEW
The cultural scene is hit hard by the coronavirus. Reports and cancellations of concerts accumulate, a direct consequence of the ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people decided by the Minister of Health Olivier Véran on March 8.
Les Négresses Vertes, famous rock group active in the 80s and 90s and reformed in 2016, found a solution to ensure their concert in Paris, at the Trianon, on March 21. "We will be doing a concert in a seated version", explains the duo before adding that in this way, "the hall goes from nearly 1,100 seats to 900, 950". And to be sure of respecting the constraint, the two artists will stop the sales at 800 places because it is also necessary to "take into account the staff on site and the guests of the group and the production ... In total, we will arrive at 999 and a half ! ".
>> Find all of Emilie Mazoyer's programs in replay and podcast here
Audience divided in two
Another solution considered by some artists to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19: divide the audience in half. This is the solution chosen by Nada Surf for its next concert at La Cigale in Paris for example or by Van Morrison for his visit to the Olympia, still in the capital. A first show at 7 p.m. and a second at 9:30 p.m. are scheduled.
This possibility, the singers of the Green Negresses have done more than imagine it since they have already applied it "on tour in the United States, a long time ago, and in particular in New York and San Francisco". However, this solution can be complicated. "It's easier for a group to do it than for a solo artist," explains the duo, because a single artist "might have to pay his team twice."
Anyway, music fans have every interest in following the social networks of the concert halls in which they plan to go to find the latest information.
"We support each other because we love each other". Formed in 1987, the group Les Négresses Vertes has made a name for itself with titles such as Zobi la Mouche or Voilà d' été . Dissolved in the late 90s, it reformed in 2016. And after 30 years, there is still no weariness. "We support each other because we love each other, that's what makes things really pleasant and then we must not forget either that we made a 17-year break!", Analyzes the duo before concluding: " On the bus, we laugh a lot! We are not sad! ".