Florent Pagny made a remarkable comeback to the stage on Wednesday evening at the Olympia in Paris, in a performance that left the audience awestruck. The celebrated French singer, who had announced a hiatus from the public eye due to a lung cancer diagnosis in January 2022, surprised everyone by joining Lebanese artist Hiba Tawaji on stage. Tawaji, known for her versatile performances in French and Arabic, had previously reached the semi-final of 'The Voice' and was delivering her first major Parisian performance.
The highlight of the evening was when Pagny performed his hit song 'Savoir Aimer' in a duet with Tawaji. Dressed in his signature leather pants and long black vest, Pagny appeared to be in good spirits and excellent health, much to the delight of his fans. This unexpected appearance marked Pagny's first performance since taking a break to recuperate in Patagonia.
The concert at the Olympia was filled with other surprise appearances as well. French pop group Madame Monsieur, celebrated singer Lara Fabian, and trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf all took to the stage, creating an unforgettable night of music. Mathieu Chedid, Ycare (a former contestant of 'Nouvelle Star'), Lebanese musician Oussama Rahbani, and the gospel group Sankofa Unit also contributed to the stellar lineup.
Pagny is set to perform again on Thursday, May 30, at the Salle Pleyel for a charity concert organized by the Military Governor of Paris. The concert, titled 'Sentinelles d'un soir,' aims to raise funds for Bleuet de France, an organization dedicated to supporting war victims, helping bereaved families, and aiding veterans. The event will feature six artists and 200 musicians, with Pagny performing his song 'Le Soldat,' which pays homage to World War I soldiers. Other notable performers include the duo Les Frangines, the group Electro Deluxe, rocker Yvard, singer-actress Candice Parise, and Nicola Sirkis from Indochine.
Despite his health challenges, Florent Pagny has remained active in the music scene. In June 2023, he performed at the Nîmes alongside Zazie and participated in summer festivals. In September 2023, Pagny released his album '2 bis', featuring duet renditions of his greatest hits with artists like Jenifer, Patrick Bruel, Marc Lavoine, and Christophe Maé. Additionally, his autobiography 'Pagny par Florent,' co-written with Emmanuelle Cosso, was published in April of the same year and has sold over 150,000 copies.
Pagny originally planned to celebrate his 60th birthday with a tour in 2022, but it was canceled due to his health issues. However, he has hinted at making up for the lost time with a 65th-anniversary tour in 2026, promising fans more opportunities to see him perform live.
- Hiba Tawaji, who invited Florent Pagny on stage, has garnered international recognition for her performances in various languages. She gained fame as Esmeralda in the musical 'Notre Dame de Paris', a role she played from 2016 to 2019. Her previous participation in 'The Voice' in 2015 made her a household name among French television audiences, especially those who followed Mika's team.
- The charity concert 'Sentinelles d'un soir' at Salle Pleyel is anticipated to be a significant event, not only for its cause but also for bringing together diverse musical talents. Florent Pagny’s song 'Le Soldat' is particularly poignant, as it was composed by Calogero and written by Marie Bastide, highlighting the sacrifices of soldiers during the First World War.
- Florent Pagny's album '2 bis' is a reflective piece that revisits his illustrious career through collaborations with other renowned artists. This project is a celebration of his legacy in the music industry, serving long-time fans and attracting new listeners.
