Gringe: a festival closing of doubt and melancholy

Paléo Festival 2019 - Amélie Wauthier

Under the Détour tent, the stage is bare: just a mixing desk in the middle and rows of LEDs - not LSS - hanging vertically from the sides. I took advantage of the fireworks to get a seat just a few meters from the stage, but I've no idea that it's going to save me. 

It's almost midnight when Gringe makes his entrance to the cheers of the overexcited crowd. It's another concert where I'm feeling quite old, as people my age have probably been at Patrick's concert or in bed for a long time. We're huddled together, and there's not even room for a quiet sneeze. First song. The young man behind me knows all the lyrics by heart, I'm treated to the concert in stereo and a few sprays of beer in my hair. Gringe asks us if we're all right, if we're «ready for the final bouquet or what?!» Of course, Guillaume, we're ready! Fresh as a daisy and ready to go! 

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Although Gringe is accompanied tonight by DJPone and Sidney, he is best known for the duo he forms with Orelsan, les Casseurs Flowteurs. The two rappers performed at the Arches during the thirty-ninth edition of the Paléo. «Calm down my darling, Orelsan is playing tonight in another city», says Gringe, but that doesn't stop him from covering their greatest hits, much to our delight. Even the social security guy knows the lyrics by heart. 

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Behind me, pogos form and press me against the security barrier. If I've survived those of the Lomepal concert, I'm not sure I'll make it tonight! My back's a mess after a week of intense festival action, and the ground's so soggy it's all over my boots, pants and oilskin. The atmosphere is overexcited and wild, but I manage to escape with just a few bruises and the zipper of my bag torn. The artist's themes revolve mainly around the family. Gringe was profoundly affected by the death of his father and the illness of his schizophrenic brother. This is reflected in his touchingly authentic lyrics. 

«One day, you give me life, then the next, you abandon me
If I look for your ghost, how can I become a man?
I don't need this, I don't need you
But I miss your advice.»

Psychedelic electronic music resonates and pulses, and the big top transforms into a discotheque, making you want to get high. It's already time for the last chorus, but before that.., «make a maximum of mess for DJBone» whose last concert this is. «It's a bit of a messy end to a concert, but it's the emotion».» announces Gringe. He invites his entire team on stage and confides that he's very touched. You can feel it, it's beautiful, it's intense. Thanks for the show, Thanks for sharing, thanks for tonight and see you soon, I hope.

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

Photo credits: © Paléo / Laurent Reichenbach