For a return to their usual setting, the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the NRJ Music Awards first trusted a regular.
Ed Sheeran indeed launched the show with "Bad Habits" (international song of the year).
He was also crowned best international male artist.
A solid entry that warmed the audience well, but far from certain spectacular acts that the ceremony is used to.
At least, the British singer had the merit of being very present on the Croisette, just like the group Imagine Dragons.
Which was not the case with Adele and Coldplay.
Result: the performance of the premiere, recorded in Los Angeles, was crazy class, but frankly lacking emotion.
That of the London group, who stayed at home, also lacked spontaneity.
On the other hand, Angèle's very elaborate painting on "Bruxelles je t'aime" with a beautiful colorful staging and an ambitious choreography was impressive ... Unfortunately, it is in playback that the singer carried out her performance, which has removed a bit from the magic of the whole.
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Among the other performances of the evening were Kendji Girac, Soprano, Clara Luciani, Tayc or Dadju.
We fell in love with the duo of Louane and Grand Corps Malade, “Derrière le brouillard”, a perfect balance between strength and softness.
Behind, Gims and Vitaa (yes, she does artistic infidelities to Slimane) were more impressed by the helicopter which served as their backdrop than by their duo without much originality.
As for Amir, in a virtual duet with Sia in the form of an animated character, the result was certainly happy, but a little wobbly.
As for the speeches of the presenters and the winners, not much to report
One of the biggest sensations of the evening came from where we did not expect it: the surprise of Eva's coronation in the French-speaking artist of the year category.
She herself could not believe it when she recovered her trophy.
It must be said that she was clearly an outsider against Clara Luciani, Amel Bent, Hoshi, Yseult, or even Louane.
Because in the end, the big winners of the charts (Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Vitaa & Slimane) are all regulars at the NRJ Music Awards.
In the midst of all this, Nikos did what he could, randomly attempting a "beware, the health crisis is not over, like our show by the way!"
To launch the second ad page.
When giving a “Ten times diamond disc” to Kendji Girac, he found his somewhat pompous tone: “It's more than a symbol, it's a path of life.
"
As for the speeches of the presenters and the winners, not much to report, except the emotion of Slimane at the time of receiving the prize of the French-speaking group / duo of the year for his association with Vitaa.
He was in tears as he addressed his female sidekick, announcing that they would both soon be resuming their solo careers.
A really touching sequence.
Conversely, of all the introductions, that of influencers Léna Situations and Just Riadh for the international collaboration of the year (won by Coldplay, also from a distance) was the most embarrassing.
Prize list at 11:45 p.m.
Francophone Group / Duo of the Year:
Vitaa & Slimane
International Group / Duo of the Year:
Coldplay
Francophone Collaboration of the Year:
Amel Bent & Hatik “1,2,3”
International Collaboration of the Year:
Coldplay & BTS "My Universe"
Francophone Male Artist of the Year:
Dadju
International Male Artist of the Year:
Ed Sheeran
Francophone Female Artist of the Year:
Eva
International Female Artist of the Year:
Dua Lipa
International Song of the Year:
Ed Sheeran "Bad Habits"
DJ of the Year:
DJ Snake
Honorary Award:
Imagine Dragons
