Les Négresses Vertes

The wheels are well oiled for this band who made their come back in February 2018 after a long break. The band hit the charts in the late 1980’s with an original sound combining punk with manouche along with a great ability to pen tune that move people’s feet ,bodies and arms. The much adored singer Helno died back in the early 1990’s leaving the band without a real crazy front man but still a lot of talent. It wasn’t easy for them and the band eventually disbanded in 2005. The fans never forgot the music and after many other musical projects and hard working tours in other line ups, the founding members were brought together almost cosmically. The friendships that were built were lifelong and the band onstage now in 2019 on their 150th concert since reforming in 2018 have got this show into a great structure if music can be described that way. Truly masters in the delivery of heart warming pumping gyrating tunes Les Négresses Vertes put on a two hour show moving through several styles and keeping up the interest level from start to finish for the audience. Great to see them back and already planning to see them again.

Rodney Prosser (fan since 1988)

The band have in my estimation reached a musical alchemy that is quite rare. A hybrid of dub and oriental beats combined with rock and flamenco guitar and a horn section of such precision not forgetting an accordionist who also is a dab hand on a bass synth, Les Negresses Vertes make for a great live band. The set starts in a very tame way and you are taken by surprise as their set weaves through the tracks of MLAH released 30 years ago. The sound engineer creates a dub mix and as you listen the sound brings out the best in you. Rich dub tones fix your lower half and if you don't sway to the sounds you might be in need of cleaning your ears. The top half of your body is moving your arms and grinning in sheer delight. As the level of sweat invreases, you find your animal side again. Surrounded by a crowd of positive feelings and all exchanging smiles and having a great time. This is a super show.

J’adore même si les années passent pour tout le monde.toujours la même joie de voir les negresses vertes si joyeux et festifs.
Un commentaire technique : j’ai eu l’impression que l’on n’entendait pas bien la guitare de Melino au début du concert. Peut-être à améliorer.

I last saw Les Negresses Vertes 28 years ago. That was in Glasgow on the "Big Day." In a field just outside Etaples/Le Touquet in northern France at about 11.30pm last night the magic of that day was recaptured. Merci beaucoup Led Negresses Vertes.

A little bit The Gipsy Kings, a little bit The Pogues, a little bit Madness, and quite a bit of madness, seemingly in the company of every French person currently in London.