A double of Stromae, animated film style on the giant screens behind him, thus showed the public the gestures to be made on the choreography of this piece, accompanying the movements of the singer on the stage.

Stromae's performance gives a taste of the launch of his tour-event at the end of February, which should revolve around paintings and make use of new technologies, according to what he lets filter out in dribs and drabs.

"Multitude", his new album, one of the most anticipated this year, will be released on March 4.

But as the Belgian does nothing like everyone else, he will deliver his new songs in preview to the public of his first three shows in Brussels on February 22, Paris on February 24 and Amsterdam on February 27.

The tickets for these first three concerts sold out in just a quarter of an hour on the day they went on sale on December 3, his record company said.

Belgian singer Stromae on the stage of the Seine Musicale in Boulogne-Billancourt, west of Paris, on February 11, 2022 BERTRAND GUAY AFP

At the Victoires, there is an honorary president and an Honorary Victory is also awarded.

This year, it goes to Jacques Dutronc, 78 (it was Jane Birkin last year), given by his son Thomas, for his entire career.

Reviews

But above all there is competition.

Last year, Benjamin Biolay was the big winner with two trophies (male artist and album) for his album "Grand Prix".

For this 37th edition, OrelSan and Clara Luciani take pole position with four nominations each: artist (male, female), album, song and audiovisual creation.

Nothing illogical.

"Civilization", by OrelSan, is the best-selling album in France in 2021. As for Clara Luciani's "Heart", it has thrilled both elitist scenes and the general public.

Music victories: the main nominations Kenan AUGEARD AFP

But if we add Juliette Armanet and the group Feu!

Chatterton (applying for three categories each), we arrive at fourteen nominations between four artists.

This raises criticism of a ceremony accused of not reflecting the diversity of the current scene.

"My greatest victory is to live from my passion, the rest + balec + (slang contraction of + I don't give a damn +)", tweeted Eddy de Pretto, no nomination.

Grand Corps Malade, also empty-handed, said he was "very disappointed" in "Seven to eight" on TF1.

New prices

These gnashing teeth do not disturb the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot, present at the ceremony at the Seine Musicale, in the Paris region.

"It's not my job to fuel controversy. I'm not president of Victories," she first told the press.

"Les Victoires is a popular show with great audiences. Some criticize them but I don't hide my pleasure. I came to party," added the political leader.

"I like opera but that does not prevent me from liking other genres, continued the minister. I really like Juliette Armanet and her + Last day of disco + (one of the flagship titles of her album). J I also love The Empress very much.

This group, made up of a singer and five musicians, was named in the female revelation category, one of the little quirks of the evening.

French singer Juliette Armanet on the red carpet of the 23rd NRJ Music Awards at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, in the Alpes-Maritimes, on November 20, 2021 Valery HACHE AFP / Archives

This year, the Victories have however taken a few steps forward to stick more to their time.

Thus, stars acclaimed by young audiences, Aya Nakamura and rapper SCH, must receive newly created prizes (and not subject to the vote of professionals and the general public) for the most streamed album (female and male artist).

© 2022 AFP