Three days before the release of his new album, Manu Chao shakes up all generations with an acoustic concert at the Kilowatt in Vitry-sur-Seine

On Tuesday, September 17, the former leader of Mano Negra marked his big return to the central stage of Kilowatt in Vitry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne), a place he knows well for having already played there in 2023. An “acoustic” concert by Manu Chao. Make no mistake: with the Franco-Spanish artist, the word “acoustic” rhymes more with energy than with tranquility.

Nestled away from the RER C tracks, this place combines roots ambiance and conviviality, with its food trucks and eco-friendly cups, creating a pleasant atmosphere that smells like the end of summer. This concert precedes the release of his new album, scheduled for September 20, 2024 after a seventeen-year wait. With Long live youManu Chao delivers an opus that reflects his unique style and his social commitment, while showing his evolution and his musical experiments.

In the audience, all profiles and all ages cross paths, all gathered to applaud an artist that they are rediscovering or know by heart. “It’s incredible to see him here, after playing in front of 6,000 people in Latin America. It fits the character!”exclaims David, a loyal follower of the singer. For nearly fifteen years, the man who has gone into exile in Barcelona has chosen to distance himself from the media, preferring to communicate via his website about his concerts in more intimate places: cafes, small venues and even private homes.

Every concert becomes a unique event, and this one is no exception. IThere were many who made the trip, some even coming from far away for this evening. Stéphanie, who has been following Manu Chao for almost twenty years, traveled 3.5 hours from Arras: “I saw the ad on Facebook and didn’t hesitate for a second. It had been almost ten years since I had seen him. We’re leaving tonight, but it was definitely worth it.”

At 9 p.m., “Manu”, true to himself, arrives with his cap screwed on his head, fists in the air, a vest in the colors of a sports club, he begins with an exclusive title, Venetian the Sea, revisited for live. With Manu Chao, each concert is a special moment. Between the album and the stage, there is a change of atmosphere: quiet ballads can quickly metamorphose into hymns of hope, shouted and danced.

During the show, some unreleased tracks from the new album were played, but the majority of the tracks were classics like Bad Life, Clandestine And I like you. Between pogos and beers thrown in the air, the audience, with sweaty foreheads and sticky hair, is delighted. “I’ve been seeing him for forty years, it’s always the same energy, the same sharing. Great Manu!” exclaims Hervé, 61 years old.

The colours of Latin America float in the air, Argentinian flags and Maradona jerseys are waved, and the echo of his music unites generations. The next album, Long live youmainly in Spanish, but also in English, French and Portuguese, testifies to its international reach.

Even rapper Oli, from the duo Bigflo and Oli, made the trip. In the audience, he starts a video conversation with his father Fabian, an Argentinian musician, before going on stage for a Franco-Spanish improvisation.

But Manu Chao’s art is first and foremost one of transmission. Sandrine and Manu, who came from Vannes with their three children and a friend of their son, share this passion. “I was a fan of Mano Negra, and when Clandestine came out, that’s where my wife and I met. We then introduced his music to our children.”explains the father, smiling.

Her two daughters, Nelle and Naia, 18 and 15 respectively, are not there out of obligation; they even saw the announcement of the concert. Jérémy, 22, a friend of their son Noé, adds: “I found out about it through my Spanish teacher, I loved it, and I’m even planning to get an album cover tattooed on my leg.”

Transmission is also at the heart of Long live youthe album to be released on September 20. With his spoken voice, Manu, 63, continues to amaze without having aged, skillfully moving from reggae to gypsy sounds. The themes of the world and human relationships are still there, intact.

The same indignation, spiced up with criticism of capitalism and authority, a raised middle finger against FIFA, the international football federation: Manu has lost none of his protest spirit, and the public is asking for more. “I appreciate him almost as much for his commitment as for his music. It’s part of his art.”confides Sandrine.

Back to the record. This new project stands out for its mix of genres and generations. In the title Heaven’s Bad DayManu Chao shares the mic with legendary 91-year-old country singer Willie Nelson on the track You’re going he associates himself with the new generation, in particular with the young rapper Laeti, heroine of the series Valid.

Manu Chao had accustomed us to an eternal return and he continues with his new project: thus in São Paulo Motoboy Or Heart on the Seawhere one obviously thinks of his time spent in Brazil. Because Latin America has been an omnipresent obligatory passage since the origins of his art. Carmen, Maria and Eira, respectively Peruvian and Mexican, live in France and have known for a long time the man who has traveled their continent for a long time. “In Mexico City, he played in front of 5,000 people in the Plaza de la Constitución in 2006 and to see him for the first time in such an intimate place is crazy.”says Maria, a thirty-year-old from the Mexican capital.

Because in Latin America, Manu Chao is a superstar due to the musical and linguistic syncretism of his songs. “I would say that his music is listened to more by young people in urban public universities because its committed and alternative side appeals to many, especially in recent years with the political changes in Latin America.”justifies Carmen, originally from Lima.

This fall, Manu Chao continues his journey, sharing his music to make all generations dance. He will perform at the Brixton Academy in London on September 22, then in Brittany on September 25 and 28. All information can be found at the following address : www.manuchao.net.