On Thursday evening, Paris La Défense Arena hosted the 3rd edition of the famous Pièces Jaunes Gala. This extraordinary musical and solidarity event, benefiting the Fondation des Hôpitaux, featured a line-up of international and French-speaking artists, all orchestrated by our national Teddy Riner. Yes, the multi-award-winning judoka swapped his black belt for a microphone, and took his first steps as a presenter.
As soon as you stepped out of the La Défense - Grande Arche metro station, the tone was set. An impressive line snaked up to the entrance of the arena, but in reality everything was fluid. Inside, the energy was already palpable in a packed hall, where more than half of the 35,000 spectators were already waving their twinkling lightsticks (those glow sticks beloved of K-Pop fans), giving a foretaste of the madness to come.
No need to warm up, it was J-Hope, member of the legendary BTS group, who opened the ball to a shower of high-pitched screams and frenzied applause. Gen Z gave their voices (earplugs recommended for the uninitiated) to acclaim their Korean idol, while Teddy Riner warmed up the room with an XXL smile and a few heartfelt words. The gala kicked off with a bang, and that was just the beginning.
Gims followed with his classic "Zombie". The urban pop master's powerful voice shook the stands, while his iconic glasses shone under the spotlights. A few songs later, he returned with his anthem "Sapé comme jamais", transforming Europe's largest indoor venue into a giant dancefloor. And it wasn't Teddy Riner who said otherwise - we saw you, Teddy!
After the adrenalin, it was time for emotion with John Legend. Piano, subdued lighting, and his inimitable vocal timbre: his tracks "Ordinary People" and "All of Me" suspended time, plunging the arena into sweet nostalgia (yes, we've all relived our teenage crushes). The magic was amplified when the soul artist reinterpreted Édith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose" with South African soprano Pretty Yende and cellist Gautier Capuçon, recently applauded at the re-opening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris last December.
Back to the frenzy with Taeyang and G-Dragon, members of BigBang, and their explosive track "Good Boy". With its jerky choreography, spectacular visual effects and legendary chorus, it's impossible not to get into the groove, even if you've only heard the famous "I am a good boy".
The K-Pop tornado continued with Blackpink star Rosé. After reviewing the chorus with the judoka-presenter and a brave young girl chosen from the audience, the fashionable Korean singer took to the stage for an ultra-connected moment with her audience on her hit "APT". Fans screamed the chorus, or rather "A paté, a patéééé" as if their lives depended on it.
After enlisting the Garde Républicaine in her performance at theopening of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Aya Nakamura took the Défense Arena by storm. "40%" and "Baby" resounded like generational anthems, proving once again that the queen of French R&B remains indomitable.
After her, Burna Boy, the Nigerian artist with contagious solar energy, raised the temperature. His rhythmic tunes and infectious charisma amplified the good vibes already reigning in the arena.
An emotional moment followed with internationally renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, just before Colombian reggaeton phenomenon J Balvin. With his hits "I like it" and "Mi gente", the "Prince of Reggaeton" delivered a caliente show, boiling over with frenzied energy. We'll also remember his declaration of love to his girlfriend live on stage (sorry fans, but J Balvin is no longer a heartthrob!).
To round off this anthology evening, the Gala's headliner was none other than Katy Perry. The American superstar delivered a string of interplanetary hits, including "Teenage Dream", "Dark Horse" and "Eye of the Tiger", before bringing the evening to a climactic close with "Firework". Accompanied by pyrotechnic effects galore, the sweet pop diva sealed the evening in an atmosphere of total communion with a delirious crowd.
TheOrchestre Lamoureux, conducted by Adrien Perruchon and Maxime Pascal, also deserves a special mention, enhancing the artists' performances on stage.
For €50 to €80 a ticket, the Gala des Pièces Jaunes 2025 offered a unique evening of solidarity, XXL shows and an exceptional line-up. And if you missed it, don't panic! You can (re)experience the entire show on France 2 this Tuesday, January 28, 2025. An evening like this deserves an encore!
