Renaud is an emblematic figure of French song who will soon celebrate his 50th career marked by committed lyrics. We think in particular of his great successes, such as “Leave concrete” (1977) which propelled him to the forefront but also albums such as “Mistral winner” (1985) et “Stone merchant” (1991). An essential voice of French song, the singer continues to please his fans by going on stage, despite certain battles, such as that against alcoholism, which he leads in the shadows. He had already returned to the forefront in 2016 with the album “Renaud” acclaimed by critics and returned the table with In my ropesin which he revisits his symphonic repertoire. While he was due to perform on December 6 in Alençon and December 11 in Besançon, these two concerts of his tour were canceled without any reason being given to justify this decision. Concerts are not expected to be postponed and fans' tickets will therefore be refunded.
Last Saturday, November 16, the singer gave a concert at the Stade Couvert in Liévin. Some of his fans confided their concern on the web, the artist having appeared in very bad shape with difficulty singing. Yet he appeared happy, in love and in great shape on the arm of Cerise for the premiere of The Valley of Fools ten days ago. Renaud started his tour at the beginning of 2023, after six years of absence, something to rejoice those who have followed him since his beginnings. Well not all. Some questioned whether it was reasonable for Renaud to continue performing on stage given his health which seems fragile and after the publication of a video of his interpretation of “Mistral Winner”. “It pains me”, “It’s torture for him and for everyone I think”, we could first read on X, former Twitter. And others added: “What bothers me the most is the idea of exploiting him again and again!”, “Damn, the sinking, it's terrible. My heart hurts for him, it's not possible to let yourself be exposed like this” but also “I find it sad. Renaud has superb songs, but now he is just a shadow of himself. No one to tell him that he shouldn't continue performing?”.
Renaud's fans come to his defense
The Internet user who posted the singer's video on X was criticized by fans of the artist. “Renaud was in concert at the Stade Couvert in Liévin last night, and seeing the videos it was more of a giant karaoke than a concert…”she first wrote in the caption of her video. And to continue: “I feel bad for him…and then the play of light doesn’t help”. “Why broadcast it if you feel bad for him?”questioned an annoyed Internet user. Then others followed suit…
“You are indecent. Filthy even. Like many others under this post. Who knows what will become of you in the future. It's very sad what happened to him and, obviously, he has no real friends around him to avoid this kind of spectacle”added a fan. Then some conclude: “Many who did not give dearly of their skin continue to shoot at the ambulance today, but it's still there. Still standing… And that's so much the better. Those who love him follow him…” et “He no longer has a voice, he is ill, we know that, however this concert is one of the most beautiful (moving) shows I have attended. He is magnificently surrounded by his musicians and an audience who knows the words by heart”.
