Trained at the Conservatoire, a number of soloists are adopting the codes of pop, electro and comedy to reinvent the recital. By June 2025, they’ll be performing to sold-out crowds in France’s biggest rock venues. An investigation into a phenomenon that, thanks to algorithms, crosses all borders.
Montmartre. On November 4, there’s a buzz in front of La Cigalethe temple of rock, pop and electro. A hip crowd, bands of friends, couples of all ages… A motley crew, which is unusual for this venue. This was pianist and composer Tony Ann’s sixth concert in Paris in a year. Each time, the capacity increases. Each time, tickets are snapped up. “ I gave my very first solo concert in Paris in November 2023 “, says this 26-year-old Chinese-Canadian (*).
At the merchandising stand, the public buys not a mug, but his 20-euro sheet music, including his hit song Lost. With his Timothée Chalamet look and 6 million followers on social networks, Tony Ann is a phenomenon. On Instagram, where the algorithm suggests music to dress up posts, his cover of Now We Are Freeanthem of the Gladiator by Ridley Scott, comes in fourth place, ahead of the worldwide hits São…