It’s cheaper. During Billie Eilish’s last concert at the Accor Arena, ticket prices – initially between 27 and 170 euros – soared to reach 600 euros on the black market. We can therefore understand that some fans choose the “concert at the cinema” option, which is much more comfortable for the wallet.
We are better settled. The author of these lines knows something about this. During Mylène Farmer’s last live concert, installed at the back of the orchestra pit, he only saw a small sparkling dot on stage. But there are other “tue-concerts”: the spectator in front of you who, to see better, perches on her friend’s shoulders, the lunatic next to you who tramples on your sneakers or who exhales the scent of Drakkar Noir. As for the bleacher option, a cinema seat is still more comfortable than a plastic shell, right? (That said, the neighbor’s popcorn can also spoil the fun…)
There is real artistic research. In the case of Billie Eilish or Santa, it is not a simple concert recording, but a filmmaker’s vision of their show. We expected no less from James Cameron – the director of Titanic – who filmed Billie Eilish’s concert in 3D, while integrating behind-the-scenes images and rehearsals. Same observation for Tristan Carné at the Santa concert: both the sound and the image are exceptional. Seeing the singer move through the air with her piano, you feel like you’re flying with her.
We can take a break. At the end of comedian Paul Mirabel’s twentieth episode, is your attention starting to wane? The film of his last show, For love: the spectacle at the cinemathen becomes the perfect remedy. We pause, prepare ourselves a little something to eat, then come back fresh and ready for a new round of jokes. Not to mention that there is sometimes something inhibiting about laughing in a room full of strangers. Like popstars, certain comedians, like Mirabel, therefore release films of their shows. A way to attract new fans, but also to console the faithful when their tours are sold out. What Valérie Lemercier will never do: from the start of her career, she chose never to record or capture her shows so that they remain a special moment for the spectator.
The advantages of the live concert
We see the popstar “for realâ€. A concert can become a magical moment that you remember for the rest of your life. Yes, we were a few meters from Beyoncé or the Rolling Stones; yes, we shared their world for one or two hours. Some fans, with stars in their eyes, can still say “I was there†when talking about concerts by Michael Jackson, Prince or Amy Winehouse. Attending a concert is taking part in a historic moment. (Except, perhaps, if it is Patrick Sébastien’s concert in Cap d’Agde.)
The show is also in the room. Feeling the vibrations of the audience, singing in unison and dancing with thousands of strangers: that’s also what makes the magic of a live show. Friendships – even love stories – are sometimes born during concerts.
What if the popstar ever spots you? Yes, this really happens. Taylor Swift and Harry Styles regularly invite fans on stage to dance or sing with them. Bruce Springsteen’s attitude has also become legendary: for decades, at each of his concerts, a fan has been chosen from the crowd to come dance with him or play the guitar. Pink goes even further: she has already had spectators – harnessed, of course – fly with her above the delirious crowd. At the cinema, even if you’re sitting alone in the front row, no matter how much you wave to Santa, she probably won’t glance at you…
With : Since each option can be a source of frustration, why not combine the two to transform a concert into an overall experience? You still have to be very, very fanatical…
Santa – The concert has a cinemaby Tristan Carné, in theaters on June 4. Release of the live album from the tour on June 5.
