Live!

I'm fairly sure we haven't been to the venue in Bayssan, just outside Béziers, since 2014. It's changed a lot since then -- it used to be a big top seating maybe 300. Now the site has been completely redeveloped into a complex for the arts, with an impressive amphitheatre, seating probably 700-800 (extra) plus an extra circular building housing a restaurant and a third with an indoor stage.

In the extra, note also the queue ... the show was sold out. A weird feeling being in such a large crowd after all this time. The amphitheatre is effectively outdoors though, with only the stage covered. It's well designed for visibility from everywhere, and by virtue of getting there before the doors opened, we got good seats halfway up.

The popularity was no surprise. Firstly the show was a homage to the late singer and songwriter from Toulouse, Claude Nougaro, who is very popular around here. Secondly, the lead artist was the world's greatest accordionist, Richard Galliano, last seen in a duo with the much missed violonist Didier Lockwood, who died of a heart attack just months after that 2017 gig.

And thirdly, he'd invited guests: iconic actress Fanny Ardant, who has the sexiest voice in French cinema (in the flowery skirt); Abd Al Malik, a well-known rapper, writer, and director (here showing the 73-year-old Fanny how to rap); and Olivia Ruiz, local girl made good as a nationally famous singer. It made for a wonderful mix of styles, with Fanny reading Nougaro's poetry to an accordion accompaniment, Abd Al Malik rapping Nougaro songs and encouraging the audience to join in, and Olivia singing some belters. Plus plenty of beautiful instrumental music from Richard Galliano and his group. Home at midnight -- it felt quite daring!