A diverse audience for a stunning finale on the Théâtre de Verdure stage in Nice with Roger Hodgson, who hasn’t aged a bit, just like the songs that took some back to their childhood and others to their teenage years, but truly delighted those fortunate enough to be there.
But before the festival’s main act, it was the local band “Little d Big B” from Nice who started warming up the stage. A band that has been touring the area a lot for the past year. The singer adopts Tom Yorke-like tones (Radiohead) and between energy and introversion, they deliver a UK-style rock that gives a British vibe to our locals for the evening.
A perfect introduction as next came other French artists with distinguished Londoner manners: Puggy. Excellent! Three smiling and likable faces, interchangeable and brilliant musicians, a singer who modulates, all delivered with a rock that’s very pop, sometimes folk, and very fresh.
Finally, the time came for the singer and composer of Supertramp to take over, and Roger Hodgson calmly walked onto the stage for a little chat in French with an audience thrilled to hear that Nice and the Côte d’Azur were a paradise on Earth. Then, music resumed its place and the first harmonica chords of “Take the Long Way Home” drew one of the many rounds of applause of the evening. The man from Portsmouth, who blew out 62 candles this year, alternated seamlessly between unforgettable Supertramp songs such as “Give a Little Bit”, “The Logical Song”, “Dreamer”, “Take the Long Way Home”, “Breakfast in America”, “It’s Raining Again”, “School”, and “Fool’s Overture” and new creations like “Death and the Zoo”.
A performance turning into a tour de force almost like magic, and everywhere, people are singing and dancing to each melody played by Roger Hodgson, in tune with his audience and even joking with photographers and others in the front rows. “It’s magical, we saw them at the Arènes de Fréjus, it was already a good twenty years ago and he’s still as extraordinary,” Cathy said with sparkling eyes, wanting to share this experience with her daughter who also seems to have caught the “virus.” “I’m only 17 but I know almost all the songs, you must know they’re often played at home.”
And the party continues, not without the help of Canadian Aaron McDonald, who accompanies Roger Hodgson on stage with sweeping harmonica, saxophone, clarinet, melodica, and keyboard performances. A real one-man band who deserves a tip of the hat. There is a true camaraderie between these two and the joy of playing together is a real pleasure to see… and especially to hear!
An encore, a final frenetic “It’s Raining Again” and it’s with regret that the concert comes to a close, just like this Crazy Week 2012, which was incredible both musically and emotionally. Mika, Julien Doré, Dyonisos, Shaka Ponk… The week was thrilling and our little birdie tells us that the 2013 edition will be quite impressive indeed.
So, Patrice*, will you push the “Bouchon” a little further next year?
