Coluche and Jean-Jacques Goldman, Johnny Hallyday and Maurane, Charles Aznavour and Mimie Mathy, Éric Cantona and Catherine Deneuve, Kylian Mbappé and Jane Birkin… We have seen Enfoirés parade!
291 to be precise, who performed 1,545 songs!
This year, there are 47 of them - a record - to celebrate the 35th anniversary of this unique musical and charitable adventure in the world, broadcast this Friday March 1st in the evening on TF1.
“We're 35 years old, going back in time, first gray hairs, I'm looking old,” they sing on Bigflo and Oli's hit while going on stage last January in Bordeaux.
But no slack on the horizon.
The energetic opening sets the tone for a show driven by beating drums and hearts.
White and black, there is hope
Faced with food inflation and the explosion in the number of applicants affected by the economic crisis – 171 million meals distributed in 2023, an increase of 22% in one year – the Restos du Cœur are going through a difficult time.
For the first time, the Enfoirés mention it during the show.
And from the start.
While the whole troupe stays to sing at the top of their lungs their new anthem of resistance, co-written by Ycare and Patrick Bruel, and to hammer home with poignant force – “We stay until the last” – the difficulties of the association are projected on the big screen: “Restaurants are in the red”, “Restaurants must refuse people”, “If nothing is done, Restaurants could close within three years”.
Supporting figures.
Also read Les Enfoirés on TF 1: “We had to refuse people this winter”, warns the president of Restos du coeur
The public is also loyal to the cause.
In Bordeaux, there are 53,000 spectators at seven concerts to blow a wind of emotion and celebration.
“I feel that there is magic in the air,” smiles Michèle Laroque, launching a fiery version of “Magic In The Air” by Magic System.
The “campaign” is released.
Lara Fabian, Zazie, Christophe Willem and Dany Boon climb on chairs in the middle of the audience, Anne Sila and Soprano, Kendji Girac and Tarik Boudali gain height on baskets, Matt Pokora hands his microphone to a kid.
Bordeaux dancers take the stage by storm, balloons fly above the audience.
White and black, there is hope.
Radical change of atmosphere.
Time for a new song, “Salted Popcorn”, written by a new Enfoirée, Santa, from the group Hyphen Hyphen.
She is at the foot of the stage, in the crash barriers, to see Julien Clerc, Christophe Willem, Patrick Fiori and Jeremy Frérot take her back in a three-part version, completed by Anne Sila, Zaz, Shy'm, Nolwenn Leroy, Joyce Jonathan and Sofia Essaïdi.
“Magnificent” says Patrick Fiori, while Santa explodes with joy.
Yes.
The arrangements, the interpretation of the musicians – always live – like singers, the emotion released, everything is strong.
Many spectators are in tears.
Thrills guaranteed.
We are not at the end of our surprises.
The next scene is symphonic, with a large orchestra of black dresses and costumes with tails.
Philippe Lacheau is on the baton, Zazie on the harp, Vitaa on the cello, Slimane on the saxophone, Sébastien Chabal on percussion – logical for a rugby player –, Dany Boon and Michaël Youn on vocals.
But it’s not “Traviata,” it’s “La Goffa Lolita,” a light Corsican song that has become a third-half party anthem, particularly in the Southwest.
The orchestra goes out of control, the red berets and the trumpets arrive, Philippe Lacheau has to bellow to restore order.
“It’s a crazy thing,” sums up Soprano, returning backstage.
Also read “Les Enfoirés”: a podcast gives voice to the “Army of the Heart” of Restaurants behind the TV show
Obviously, after such an intense first half hour, we are choosy for the next two hours.
Not everything is the same, but we really like the staging of “La Symphonie des Éclairs” and “Secret” and the female performers who highlight the lyrics of the two songs by Zaho de Sagazan and Louane.
Women are once again in the spotlight on the cover of the 2023 global hit, “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus.
With clever games of screens and mobile nacelles and the competition of dancers from the Paris Opera, tributes to Florent Pagny – “Un jour une femme” – and to Julien Clerc – “Partir”, “Ma Preference” – are also worth a look.
“The reference is you/Our reference”, sings the choir to an emotional Julien Clerc.
Antoine Dupont as guest star
With the Fifi gang, the reunion of the ch'tis Kad Merad and Dany Boon, Michaël Youn, Claudia Tagbo, Nicolas Canteloup and Arnaud Ducret around, humor is making a comeback.
In addition to fake advertisements for their CD and DVD – 19.99 euros for a double CD, 24.99 euros for a double DVD, on sale this Saturday – three long and tasty sketches: the clinic of the Enfoirés, the meeting of the “ Cluedo” and Inspector Derrick and finally the musical parody of the Paris Olympic Games, with Antoine Dupont as a guest star.
“The Olympics stuck in the metro/it's going to be a huge mess all summer/We're going to live through hell.
On foot, at the ticket office, by RER.
Welcome to the Paris Olympics.
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Leading figure of the French Olympic rugby sevens team, Antoine Dupont willingly lent himself to the musical parody of the future Parisian Olympics.
Sylvie Grosbois/Gaston Bergé
With seven shows in six days, with almost no rehearsals, the Enfoirés are sporty in their own way.
In any case, they know how to fall and succeed in their exit with a 24th and final scene which follows “No, I haven't forgotten anything” by Charles Aznavour and the essential anthem of the Restaurants.
The sweet intimate nostalgia and collective fervor.
They all go back on stage for a pretty classy photo of the class of 1989-2024.
Then one last dance.
Artists and volunteers gathered, Kad Merad on drums, the audience dances and screams the lyrics.
Zoom on Coluche’s face.
The founder of Restos du Cœur has a smile.
For their 35th anniversary, the Enfoirés pulled out all the stops.