When Indochine and Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky Shook French Stadiums
(Paris, France) - The latest live album from French pop rock legends Indochine held more than a few surprises. Last summer’s Central Tour was a major cultural happening. Six massive concerts, in both attendance and scale, swept across five (5) French stadiums - once in a lifetime events for Indochine’s fervent fanbase. Celebrating over 40 years of creativity, the band shows absolutely no sign of slowing down. Fortunately, if you’d like proof of that, Central Tour was filmed at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium on June 25, 2022 and is now available for purchase here, the live album also yours to stream at the same link.
Without geeking out on what Indochine represents in popular French culture or how revered they are as musicians and on point interpreters of our time, we’ll stick to the headline.
For Central Tour 2022, Indochine’s larger than life frontman Nicola Sirkis and renowned French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky dueted on the band’s 2013 hit College Boy and it’s difficult to explain how wonderful it is, so please watch the attached videos; we’re thrilled to showcase Jaroussky and Sirkis’ individual and combined vocal abilities in this amazing performance.
This collaboration proves that iconic classical and pop rock voices can - and should - meet and soar, together. This is Opera Innovation.
Some background: College Boy speaks to school bullying and harassment, its 2013 video is probably too intense for American television. We strongly advise readers to consider not watching it due to its disturbing imagery and depiction of extreme violence. However, this performance begins with a moving, filmed testimonial by dozens of young people who’ve been bullied and/or assaulted; a powerful anthem that resonates even if little to no French is understood. In early 2022, Indochine recorded and performed a symphonic version College Boy with Mr. Jaroussky, where this collaboration seems to have begun, continuing onstage for thousands of fans attending this summer tour.
We’re assuming that this symphonic television event played a role, but more than anything, this collaboration proves that iconic classical and pop rock voices can - and should - meet and soar, together. This is Opera Innovation.
WATCH: Nicola Sirkis & Philippe Jaroussky perform “College Boy” at Stade de France.
LISTEN to “College Boy” from the Central Tour live album, English translation enabled.