“And good NRJ Music Awards to all! »Says the TGV controller with a smile on arrival in Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes). After an edition in Paris due to the health situation, the ceremony finds the direction of the Côte d'Azur for its 23rd edition, broadcast this Saturday evening at 9:05 pm on TF1 and NRJ. “We were happy to be able to do the show last year despite everything. Except that we missed the public and even more the atmosphere of Cannes, confides Jacques Grimal, coordinator of the program. The artists themselves told us that it usually gave them something special, a certain magic. "
However, these NRJ Music Awards 2021 were not the easiest to organize.
"The epidemic resumption has been a source of concern," confides the history of the show.
Even if there was never any question of canceling.
A lowering of the gauge was however under consideration.
Finally, due to the control of the sanitary pass and a strict - and controlled - wearing of the mask, the room will be full in a seated configuration, for 2,000 spectators, including a pit of 150 people.
Adele live video
“The Palais des Festivals has resumed its activity, TF1 too and I am not talking about the artists whose tours are in full swing.
That's why we couldn't have Vianney for example, ”explains the coordinator.
Quickly, only one possibility emerges: Saturday, November 20.
Facing an important rugby match.
And 24 hours before the American Music Awards, the benchmark ceremony in the United States.
"It is certain that that made us miss certain artists", recognizes Jacques Grimal.
Among them Coldplay, who however recorded a remote performance exclusively for NMAs.
Amir will perform a virtual duet with Australian star Sia.
LP / Fred Dugit
Another star not to travel to Cannes but to offer a live video: Adele, for her first European television as part of the release of her album “30” this Friday.
"It was the condition: duplex or nothing," explains the production of the show.
But it's better to have Adele together than not to have her.
And we had good feedback from Dua Lipa last year.
Maybe the Covid will have brought us this new way of entertaining… ”
But if some internationals could not come, two will be present.
Starting with Ed Sheeran, who will open the ceremony with his title “Bad Habits”.
The American group Imagine Dragons also made the trip to perform their single "Wrecked".
A first for this quartet, which had never done television in France.
Gims sends for a helicopter
In the midst of all this, there will be many French artists, all live… with the exception of Grand Corps Malade, who came to record his participation this Thursday.
"He is in concert in Caen but wanted to be part", specifies Jacques Grimal.
YouTubers McFly and Carlito have also boxed their passage, for technical reasons.
A security because both will be present this Saturday for the Cannes spectators.
And the rehearsals this Friday promise a great show.
“The artists have all prepared special performances: Slimane and Vitaa are accompanied by fifty dancers, Gims brings a helicopter directly onto the stage…, promises Jacques Grimal.
There is a desire to celebrate this return to Cannes.
"
Juliette Armanet should literally set fire to echo her new album “Brûler le feu”.
LP / Fred Dugit
Clara Luciani will thus take the public into a retro and festive atmosphere with "Breathe again", while Juliette Armanet will literally set fire to "The last day of the disco" with an enormous luminous piano and five flaming devices on the floor.
Amir will offer a virtual duet with Sia.
The highlight of the show on the French-speaking side will be Angèle's first television for her comeback.
The Belgian singer has decided to celebrate her city, Brussels, in an impressive visual performance on which the artist wishes to keep the secret until the broadcast.
