On November 23, 2024, Paris played host to three exceptional concerts: Sum41 at La Défense Arena, Dream Theater at Adidas Arena and Myles Kennedy at Cabaret Sauvage, which we were honored to attend!
Cardinal Black
The evening got off to a slightly late start with Cardinal Black, a band from Wales defined as Alt Rock, but who on stage sounded more like a mix of Blues and Rock, which was just as enjoyable! The lighting effects were discreet but effective, as were some of the musicians. Fortunately, Tom Hollister (singer) and Chris Buck (guitarist) were on hand to add a little visual dynamism to the band's energetic music, both delivering impressive, controlled performances.
The audience seemed won over, but remained fairly quiet during Cardinal Black' set, no doubt due to their impatience to see the headliner. And even without a dancing crowd, a joyous, festive atmosphere was already settling over the almost sold-out Cabaret Sauvage.
After a short set of 5 songs (Tell Me How It Feels / Morning Light / Warm Love / Where Do You Go ? / Tied Up In Blue), the band left the stage, thanking the audience for their welcome. They'll be sure to shake a few hands in the front row before leaving.
Myles Kennedy
The room erupts in cheers as Myles Kennedy, bassist Tim Tournier and drummer Zia Uddin take to the stage. With a smile on his face, Myles begins to sing The Art Of Letting Go, the eponymous track from his new album, released 1 month earlier, for which he has been touring Europe. It's an album composed above all of hard rock riffs that are as well constructed as they are mastered, and which made us realize that Myles Kennedy's solo career has nothing to envy his other bands.
The crowd went wild from the very first track, and joined in the dance. The smiles are shared and so are a few words, as Myles doesn't hesitate to address his fans and play with them. Everything seems natural, so much so that you can feel the artist's genuine joy at coming to play on this French stage, and his sincere surprise that so many people are already so familiar with his new album, which makes up half the setlist.
But die-hard fans aren't left out in the cold, as the other half of the setlist draws from his first two albums, not forgetting an acoustic cover of The Trooper, which he said he was keen to try out on stage because it amused him.
And while we can hear a second guitar in the studio, it's not on stage, nor is it playback. And that's where the musicians' talent comes into its own: making up for the lack of an instrument without using a fake one. In fact, Myles and Tim have reworked some of the songs so that the absence of an instrument is not felt, and without using modern technology (which would be far too easy and less fun). Now that's what I call rock'n'roll! Myles will not fail to laugh about it during minor technical problems, saying: :
'At least you can see we don't use playback !'
A festive atmosphere pervades the Cabaret Sauvage, and it's hard to decide who has the most boundless energy: the audience or the artist? The songs go by and the fans want more.
Before leaving the stage, Myles is presented with a stuffed octopus, which will be placed on his baffle for Say What You Will, played during the encores and closing the evening.
All in all, it was a successful concert, rich in talent and emotion. And if you missed it, you'll have a chance to make up for it, because in addition to Myles Kennedy's many ongoing projects, he will continue to promote his third album through concerts, and will return to Paris on June 15, 2025, before heading to the Hellfest !
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