Raphaël and Olivia Ruiz were expected last night on the stage of the TdV in Nice for a mystical double bill!
Raphaël, Haroche by name, with an angelic face, blond curls, and light eyes, takes the stage armed with a bass and sets the tone. The Wind (not the winter one) arrives right on time at the festival to make the singer’s hair dance, a singer who has traveled a long Way since his Caravan. And yet, Raphaël still seems as shy, moved, looking into as many eyes as possible, quickly. Something is happening. Of course, it’s not his music that makes the crowds dance; it would rather be a divine service to be listened to with attention, although the word is probably ill-chosen since the author himself says he’s not foolish enough to believe in life after death. So the service, religion, all that is a bit far from his “in 150 years, no one will remember” (…), but who knows, after all. “So, smile!”
What stands out in Raphaël’s music is by far the text. The artist has things to say, both beautiful and painful. But he always does it accompanied by an instrument. Bass for the intro then, a red electric Fender, a 12-string acoustic, and even harmonica, accompanied by 3 musicians. We’ll only mention the Larsen issues at the very start of the concert, forcing the singer to stop his 2nd song, exchanging with his sound engineer at the other end of the theater, and ultimately allowing interaction with the audience who responds to “can you hear it too?”. Thus prompting Raphaël to share more: “I travel by train because I’m a bit afraid of flying. Except from the stage I’ve seen 3 planes pass nearby, right above, there. It’s the first time I’ve taken so many risks to play”. But “let’s not part on bad terms”, the artist will soon put it aside to focus on his music and get the entire audience on their feet with his more upbeat final tracks. A great artist.
The night falls, the sun hides, the blond curls as well. In the dusk pierced by white flashes, a silhouette that could tempt saints appears. Bouncing, sparkling, hair tossed in every direction, black dress and red lips, Olivia Ruiz takes us into her storm. You’d follow her to hell because this girl is a knockout! She charms everyone in seconds, men, women, children; we’re left in awe of such confidence and a movement style of her own. And if yesterday we all crossed to the other side? Would you know how to choose, between hell and paradise? Both shows are very different, but both have their undeniable charm. The beautiful brunette with the Carcassonne accent quickly delivers her greatest hits, although keeping her first for last. She confides that on her latest album there is a song which, for the first time, doesn’t hide her behind a character. A song in which she says, “I move forward for you to be proud of me, I move forward, I’m no longer afraid when you’re not here”: “Volver”. After an entirely theatrical concert, we find ourselves face to face with this little woman, baring her soul, and we applaud her heartily for this revelation. Let’s not forget to pay due tribute to her excellent musicians, the word doesn’t do them justice; they’re killers! Mastering the classic instruments but also offering great originality, pulling out a bow on the bass, a saw reproducing theremin sounds, a ukulele, a banjo… What a remarkable performance!
The audience won’t soon forget it!
But it’s not over yet.
There is one night left of the Crazy Week. See you tonight with Ben Ellis followed by Imany to wrap up this varied 14th edition. And, fresh news, to end on a high note, the festival offers you two tickets for the price of one (go to the ticket office on site from 6:30 PM). Don’t forget to visit the festival’s Facebook page to share your impressions: https://facebook.com/crazyweek2013
