I discovered Stromae, a Belgian singer, last October just months before studying abroad in Paris (tip: music makes a great conversation starter in any country). The first song I heard was "Tous les Mêmes," a commentary on how men and women are alike in behaviour, and I immediately fell in love with his theatrical and electronic style. A few months later in a café in Paris, the song came on the radio Cue the erratic fangirling that I didn't bother trying to control (I at least managed to look guilty when I saw my friend and I had startled the old man drinking an espresso in the corner). Needless to say, Stromae is an artist that I greatly admire.
Last week, Stromae gave the performance of a lifetime at Madison Square Garden. Everyone was dancing and singing along to the French that many of us couldn't even understand. But really, who cares if we could? He didn't. Music is such a universal concept. You don't need to know a language to listen to a song. In fact, some artists even make up their own to create a unique style that is essentially inimitable (ex: Lisa Gerrard). I think MSG really proved that idea when every single audience member continued to sing Stromae's song "Formidable" after he left the stage to change.
Formidable, formidable
Tu étais formidable, j'étais fort minable
Nous étions formidables
"Wonderful, wonderful. You were wonderful, I was pathetic, we were wonderful together." The atmosphere that these lyrics created in a venue as large a MSG is nearly indescribable. The words were heard loud and clear. I often think about how music brings people together; it creates this sort of unity that is so special and difficult to recreate without a cohesive factor as strong as music. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be screaming lyrics in French at the top of my lungs with such a passionate crowd in New York City. It was an unforgettable moment.
P.S. Yes, I am a responsible young adult. Yes, I went to a concert with the understanding that I would have four and a half hours of class the next day. Believe me, I had an extra shot of espresso in my Starbucks PSL, but I also have zero regrets. The show was worth it. (So was spending two hours doing my makeup).
~Yessi~
