Stromae 'Alors On Danse' SXSW 2015 | NPR MUSIC FRONT ROW

All over SXSW, kiosks were plastered with posters that posed a provocative question: "Who the hell is Stromae?"

It's a question you wouldn't ask in many places outside North America. The impeccably groomed Belgian singer is a massive global superstar, which created a funny juxtaposition at NPR Music's SXSW showcase, held at Stubb's BBQ in Austin, Texas. SXSW is an international festival, so for every curious would-be convert still hanging around after Courtney Barnett's set, a Stromae superfan was in danger of losing bladder control at the sight of him.

At one point, Stromae (real name: Paul Van Haver) removed his cardigan and changed into a handsome jacket — the star has his own clothing line, natch — and triggered what appeared to be a mass cardiac event near the stage. After an NPR staffer led Stromae through the crowd prior to his set, she likened the experience to walking John Lennon through the crowd at the height of Beatlemania. Several of Stromae's videos have been viewed hundreds of millions of times each on YouTube alone.

He's a big deal, is the thing, and on Wednesday night, the singer and his band put on an exhilaratingly danceable set to match. Punctuated by an elaborate light show — and slowed down only by a goofily charming monologue about Belgium's superiority to France — the show felt electrifying at every turn. Playing songs from last year's Racine Carrée, culminating in the unstoppable set-closing monster "Papaoutai" (included in this two-song video with "Alors On Danse"), Stromae more than did justice to his sleekly driving source material, which appropriately straddles genres and cultures: everything from electronic pop and dance music to hip-hop to Congolese rumba.

To many if not most in attendance, the subject matter of Stromae's French-language songs — absent fathers, failed relationships, loneliness — is bound to get lost in translation, especially amid the throbbing, mile-wide arrangements. But after this show, fewer people than ever will have to ask who the hell he is. -- STEPHEN THOMPSON

Credits:
Producers: Saidah Blount, Mito Habe-Evans, Otis Hart; Technical Director: Kevin Wait; Director: Mito Habe-Evans; Videographers: Katie Hayes Luke, Morgan Walker, Carlos Waters, A.J. Wilhelm; Audio: Timothy Powell/Metro Mobile; Assistant Editor: Carlos Waters; Production Assistants: Lizzie Chen, Nathan Gaar Special Thanks: SXSW, Stubb's BBQ; Executive Producer: Anya Grundmann.

[СергейЖуков-кбс]

ALL SONG !!! GUYS FOR YOU !!!
1) Nightcrawlers – Push The Feeling On
2) Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman (Genius Remix)
3) Snap – Rhythm Is A Dancer
4) Faithless – Insomnia

[dulseserrano]

Saw him at Coachella that year (2015) and it is til this day, one of my favorite sets ever. 🙌🏼

[susanagutierrez]

The throwback house and electronic hits... are you kidding meeee. Amazing

[vivster]

I have been following him for a long time and he is such an amazing artist. I had 3 weeks of non-stop listening to his music last month. It got me through my busy shifts in the lead up to Christmas.

[sargentmcbadass]

the whole depiction of him pretending to shoot himself was intense and after reading up on the lyrics and meaning its pretty deep of a song. I wonder how many people truly understand what he is saying when they listen to this song. 

[juliacoco]

2:25 that guy looks really into Stromae's dance :D

[JuanCarlosHernandezPhotographe]

globally this song depicts a strongly disenchanted period of our "civilisation" .. "so, we dance" (alors on danse)
 and the irony is that EVEN in french speaking countries some people love this song only for .. dancing without paying attention to the lyrics. That's just incredible.  Maybe, for me, the most emblematic song of our degenerated times ..

[aghastfont]

I wished Stromae had made an album for all the live remix versions. So good. :)

[Mirroredsmoke]

2:38 I was not ready for that transition into Gypsy woman omg

[kakususanoofors]

This is the best version of this song incredible stromae

[RayoPelayo]

I was a bartender for this. Holy moly I’ve been google-ing this night for ages!!! Loved the energy and environment.

[NoName-lwjn]

he's songtexts are always so meaningful, just love them all!!

[AirB-]

C'est la France que j'aime! Merci Maestro!

[TreborYl]

Excelent performance, awesome interpretation, and wow to the sound engeenier

[Gataroxo]

que maestro  para crear conciencia con cada letra de sus canciones me encanta su amor por la humanidad!!!!

[mansinius]

Damn I'm in love with this video <3

[musicNoga]

cant stop listening to this 3 days now

[LittlesadClownbaby]

CAN"T WAIT TO SEE HIM IN A WEEK!!!! il est

[gdneden]

I couldn't love him more! "the truth" could not be so sweet without him! péjorative et 'fun' en mem temps :D

[andreyf]

Необычный парень, поведение раскованное, тембр своеобразный, владеет публикой, пластика, танцует завлекательно, хочется слушать и смотреть!Удача и успех -таких любит -чего и желаю.С любовью из России, Екатеринбурга.