Angélique Kidjo at the MTELUS | Masterful kick-off

The 37^e edition of Nuits d’Afrique was officially launched on Wednesday evening in the effervescent context of a most anticipated return. Normal, Her Angelic Majesty was in town.

Finally, she’s back! It is 9:30 p.m., the atmosphere is warm, the welcome delirious. These African Nights are well and truly propelled into orbit, courtesy of the 63-year-old Beninese.

The UNICEF Global Ambassador wowed us all with a punchy concert and heart-pounding songs. Crosseyed and Painless Talking Heads, taken from the album Remain in Light (1980), with its frenetic pace, had the crowd going wild from the get-go. Strumming Funky on the guitar, molten congas, it’s really good! Africa, One of a Kind gives a little more fuel to the concert of the New Yorker, helped by four musicians experienced in transmissible grooves.

The African icon chains Do Yourself without pause, the bassist provides the first verses while His Majesty in the fuchsia dress surveys the stage.

“Good evening, Montreal! Are you doing well ? It’s been a while and I miss you so much. I’ve been here for four days and I don’t want to leave. I will always appreciate your warm welcome. We need your energy and enthusiasm. »

She pays tribute to the Cuban singer Celia Cruz with Bemba colorá, an inspiring message to women. It’s embodied, no showing off here.

A presence scenic amazing

Under her evocation of high priestess, her manner, her look, Angélique Kidjo, winner of the Polar Music Prize 2023, is in osmosis with her audience. She seems to like swimming against the tide with the North African scents of Saharawith a more syncopated approach, guitar solo to match, all in all less convincing.

Once in a Lifetime, again of its ineffable Talking Heads and its progenitor David Byrne, flows marvelously, once passed through the mill of the icon. These African rhythms, these haunting percussions, this Western and African alloy are most enjoyable. Another highlight of the evening, with this sentence on a loop: Same as It Ever Was.

One Africa (Independence Cha Cha) is a derivative of the eponymous dance. We identify ingredients of King Sunny Adé’s jùjú music, with the trance effect that emanates from it. She sang it in memory of Cameroonian Manu Dibango.

“We think of all these African countries which do not have their independence. I am optimistic: one day, Africa will be completely free. » Everyone agrees with the necessity of this missive.

Then she invites on stage… Zachary Richard! Who sings the chorus of The tree is in its leaves (marilon, marilé), to the sound of congas. Sort of cry of the preacher which gives a beautiful tandem with the Frenchwoman of African origin.

Meant for Me is an opportunity to push the note in English. The arrangements are a bit conventional in this globalist pop, but find their salvation in the singing to respond intertwined with the dynamics percussion who keep pace.

Choose Love, with its luminous message and unifying chords, brings joy. His good quality guitar solo has its effect!

Extensive diversity musical

All these syncopated beats of jazz, funk, salsa and old soul came naturally in addition to West African rhythms. The sounds of Brazil and the Caribbean are never far away.

By drawing on her discography of 16 albums, we understand why she accumulates Grammy awards.

Afrika, one of his first successes, is sung with all the phones deployed to capture the beautiful moment. The little planetary bomb Pata Pata by Myriam Makeba created a beautiful movement of people in front of the stage. The immortal African anthem means to touch in the South African Xhosa language.

We have all been affected. Puffs even.

As a reminder, Agoloanother firebrand who puts the banana in your face, is well balanced with the admirers who approve before she leaves us with Batonga.

An introduction to local funk and soul

As a curtain raiser, the six musicians of Chanda & The Passengers returned to the festival with a funk proposal with an urban and Latin flavor, while the public continued to rush into the room. Montrealer Chandra Holmes continues her advances in groove tillers with great confidence.