Kassav'

In a sold out arena, Kassav’ delivered an unforgettable show at Plenitude Arena.

Fans from all over France, the Caribbean, Africa, and far beyond gathered for the legendary band’s anniversary

For more than three hours, fans danced the zouk and sang along to the legendary tracks of the Antillean group celebrating 40 years of career. The fans left with stars in their eyes and were almost reluctant to go home. Relive the evening through the finest photos from the concert.

One arena to measure their greatness

With this 40th anniversary, the group set a new record by filling Europe’s largest concert venue. Choosing Plenitude Arena for this landmark date was far more than a logistical decision. It was a statement. For their 30th anniversary in 2009, Kassav’ had performed at the Stade de France. Ten years later, the group reached a new milestone by taking on Plenitude Arena, a venue of spectacular scale that opens its doors only to the very greatest.

On May 11, 40,000 people were expected for this celebration. Fans had come from across France, from the Antilles, from Africa and well beyond, gathered inside Plenitude Arena for a musical communion unlike any other. For a group that has made zouk a universal language, it would be hard to imagine a more fitting stage.

A party for the senses beneath the lights of Plenitude Arena

In a completely electric, packed room, Kassav’ delivered an unforgettable show. From the very first notes, the atmosphere ignited. The colours of the Caribbean flooded the giant screens, lights sweeping the pit in time with the irresistible rhythms of zouk. On stage, Jocelyne Béroard, Jacob Desvarieux, Jean-Philippe Marthély and their bandmates poured out every ounce of their legendary energy, an energy that immediately swept through every one of the venue’s 45,000 square metres.

Three hours of hits, an entire discography sung in unison

For more than three hours, fans danced and sang along to the iconic tracks of the group celebrating their 40th anniversary. Three hours on the Plenitude Arena stage is a journey through an entire musical era. Kassav’ drew deep from their timeless classics, reminding the crowd why their music endures where so few others do.

Among the hits performed that evening at Plenitude Arena :

• Zouk la sé sèl médikaman nou ni : the universal anthem that set the entire planet dancing
• Sye Bwa
• Vini Pou
• Ou lé

The most globally recognised French group, and it shows

The numbers behind Kassav’ are staggering. Creators of zouk in the 1980s, they are the greatest ambassadors of what has become the most widely heard form of French musical expression in the world. More than 6 million albums sold, 57 albums including 16 compilations, over 155 songs, and multiple world tours taking them to 72 countries.

Just ten years earlier, in May 2009, Kassav’ became the first French group ever to fill the Stade de France. In total, the group has given more than 3,000 concerts and has sold out over 60 shows at the Paris Zénith, including 12 consecutive nights in 1989. Approximately 2.5 million people have seen them live since 2009 alone.

It was on the African continent that Kassav’ truly took flight. “Our first big audiences were in Africa. We were filling stadiums and it thrilled us enormously,” recalls Jocelyne Béroard. Since then, the group has gone on to conquer the United States, Japan, Russia, South America and many more. Kassav’ is living proof that music born in the Antilles can become universal heritage.

A night that will stay in everyone’s mind

The fans left overjoyed, stars in their eyes, almost reluctant to let the evening end. Forty years of music poured all at once over a crowd that knew every word, every melody, every tempo by heart.

For Kassav’, performing at Plenitude Arena was not simply another concert. It was confirmation that their music transcends generations, continents and borders. And for all those who lived that night in the stands of Plenitude Arena, it is a memory that will not fade.