A dose of nostalgia and energy with Avril Lavigne at the Nîmes festival

A won over audience, who did not hesitate to sing Avril Lavigne’s greatest hits in unison. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

The 39-year-old singer has neither lost her voice nor her teenage look. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

The Canadian sang her biggest hits. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

En première partie, les Totally Spies du rock n’ont eu besoin de rien, si ce n’est leurs instruments. Midi Libre – MiKAEL ANISSET

Mercredi 10 juillet, la chanteuse internationale Avril Lavigne a illuminé les Arènes en rose à l’occasion du Festival de Nîmes.

It wasn't dark yet the emos – those who listen to this musical style – were out. At 5 p.m., the Arena was already surrounded by Avril Lavigne fans, who had been waiting for a long time under the heavy sun. A phenomenon of the 2000s, the Franco-Canadian singer offered a return to adolescence to an audience in their thirties, even forties.

A waking dream

A heterogeneous audience with the look of metalheads and dressed in pink were treated to their dose of nostalgia. "Hey hey you you, I don’t like your girlfriend" : Avril appeared on stage to sing < em>Girlfriend. The crowd went wild with shouts. The audience sings with her all evening, as if sucked in by her. It was a waking dream, Avril was there in front of them and they didn't believe it. As beautiful as in their memories, the 39-year-old singer, who has neither lost her voice nor her teenage looks, was enough for them.

Yet pink inflatable hearts, flames, confetti and streamers punctuated the show. Hands raised in rhythm and singing in chorus, this audience who experienced the concert together is in reality a multitude of individuals drowned in their flashbacks. After performing I’m with you, the singer launched a shy "goodbye". The darkness of the room gives way to light. Avril Lavigne will not return to the stage. Damage. A raw return to reality, the arenas emptied in silence. The return to adolescence is over for these older children who are working tomorrow.

Out of tune concerts

"He was a punk, she did ballet", like Avril’s lyrics, the evening was in duality. The singer chose The Warning to open her concert. More than just a first part, The Warning, these are three Mexican sisters who prove that rock is not dead. Between well-crafted riffs and powerful vocals, the songs are supported by a supercharged bass. These Totally Spies of rock don't need anything except their instruments. On stage, they were having fun and you could feel it. Despite their energy, it was an apathetic audience that did not sing or dance. The festival-goers were there for Avril Lavigne.

Les Warning did not give up and put on a real concert worthy of a headliner to defend their latest album Keep me fed< /em> (available since June 28). Thus, Nîmes received the privilege of hearing pieces that have never been played. For rock fans, the three sisters will return to France under the spotlights of the Olympia on April 14.