Chris is the Queen!3 reading minutes

Paléo Festival 2019 - Amélie Wauthier

It's still a warm evening as the main stage lawn gradually fills up. There are people everywhere, but they're not stepping on each other's toes either. It's the first concert of this 44^th Paléo festival I attend, and I'm rather looking forward to discovering the show that the artist of the evening has in store for us. It has to be said that she has made a big splash with each of her albums, from the awards she has won to the controversies she has stirred up.

9:15pm: This is it, it's about to start! Héloïse Letissier takes to the stage, accompanied by her musicians and dancers: let's hear it for Christine and the Queens! Or should I write Chris? Because that's the pseudonym the singer has chosen for herself, and she takes a moment to remind us of it. To save us too much effort and perspiration in this hot summer, it seems.

The concert begins with a literal and figurative explosion of sparks. From acrobatic choreography to pyrotechnics, the staging is skilfully orchestrated: fireworks (yes, really, on stage!) and confetti feast our eyes! As for our ears, they're not to be outdone. The singer's powerful, sensitive and captivating voice carried her through the show. I had high expectations of this artist, whom I knew to be a great performer, and I was not disappointed: she gave us a show worthy of her reputation.

Despite a meticulously thought-out and executed show, the young artist also found time to communicate with the audience in a touching and sincere way. Christine and the Queens - sorry, Chris! - opened up about her reasons for writing, her difficulties in finding her place, her doubts and problems. Her songs," she confides, "are for all the broken and damaged in life. Perhaps that's why the young woman is so disturbing to some. haters.

With her hair now (very) short, wearing an open shirt, black bra and wide-legged pants, the artist shakes up codes and genres. From a distance, she could almost be mistaken for a certain Michael Jackson. Perhaps some of the dancers on stage are actually dancers, or is it the other way around? And does it really matter all that much? For Héloïse says it loud and clear: life has to be a space of freedom. Without judgment, «only love and the possible». In fact, «We accept you» is tattooed on her right forearm. Are we really capable of this?

10:30 pm: the end approaches. Chris confides one last time about his life, his voice slightly broken by emotion. His kif, is to be nourished by our emotions and to receive everything the audience has to offer. So Héloïse/Chris/Christine, after listening to you so passionately, I'd like to say thank you! Thank you for this sensational show, for the emotion you shared with us. Thank you for your creativity and originality, and see you soon for your third Paleo!

Write to the author: amelie.wauthier@leregardlibre.com

Photo credits: © Paléo / Ludwig Wallendorff