“There are always surprises”: the Négresses Vertes on the stage of the Mesclazik festival in Saint-Affrique

Les Négresses Vertes, conservent le même esprit sur scène. D.R

Le groupe mytique se produira ce samedi 13 juillet  à 21 h 50 sur la scène de la Gravière. Il succèdera à Yvette Sound System (à 19 h) et au duo Mouss & Hakim de Zebda ( à 20 h 05). Un set de Dj Mulot clôturera la soirée.

Les Négresses Vertes is Stéfane Mellino on vocals accompanied by Iza Mellino, Miche Ochowiak, Gwen Badoux, François Cizzko Tousch and Matthieu Rabaté.

After the hits Zobi the fly, Under the bodega sun, Here it is summer, has the style of the Négresses Vertes changed ?

We always stayed in the same vein. These are our flagships. We always sing in real life, without a USB key. Since the 80s, the energy has always been the same. As for our style, we are a rock group, with songs that are a bit world rock.

What messages do you convey in your songs ?

We send a message of hope, which clears people's concerns, especially those of today. The Green Negresses bring together several generations.

Which song is particularly close to your heart ?

It’s summer. Sometimes young people don't know us, but they know the song.

What is the trademark of the Green Negresses ?

It’s a lot of complicity between all the musicians, the pleasure of being together, of being on stage and of course of sharing with the public. The average age is around fifty and I am 64 years old. There are four of us out of the six at the start.

Is this your first tour in Aveyron ?

We have already played there, perhaps in Saint-Affrique in 1992.

What are you going to sing this Saturday evening ?

A majority of songs that people know and which make us successful.

Will you surprise the Saint-Affricains ?

There are always surprises. Every evening is a surprise, the show is live and there is always something going on with the audience.

Do you know Mouss & Hakim ?

Of course, we have known the Zebda group since the end of the 80s. Mouss & Hakim, I've known them since that time, when they started.

What brings you together with them ?

It's the same approach to music, a very live approach, without electronic devices, it's very played, in the old way. What brings us together is the journey we have traveled together since the end of the 80s. We are happy to come to Saint-Affrique, especially since we are going share the stage with old acquaintances. So it’s great!

To what do you attribute the longevity of your group ?

To the success of the songs. It’s the public who decides anyway.

What are your future plans ?

We're almost at the 300th date of our tour that started in 2018. We're going to continue it until the end of the year, then we're going to take a little break to work on a new show. No next album for the moment.

How many concerts are you going to do on this summer tour ?

About forty. This evening (Friday July 12, Editor's note) we are in Bayonne for the opening of the holidays. After Saint-Affrique we go up to Brittany at Bénodet.