Sidiki Diabaté in concert at Paris La Défense Arena: all you need to know

For the first time in his career, Sidiki Diabaté is set to take over the Paris La Défense Arena this Saturday, February 8, 2025. An opportunity to (re)discover the world of the Malian singer and musician, famous kora player and multi-faceted artist. Wondering when the doors are due to open? What time is the singer due on stage? How do I get to the venue by public transport? Or which objects are forbidden and which are allowed? Here's everything you need to know before coming to Paris La Défense Arena for this unique Sidiki Diabaté concert in the capital.

He is a singer, musician, composer, instrumentalist, musical arranger and producer. His name is Sidiki Diabaté. After taking over the Zénith de La Villette in 2022 and the Accor Arena in 2023, the Malian artist returns to the capital, this time for a unique concert on Saturday February 8, 2025 at the Paris La Défense Arena. A first for the artist and famous kora player.

Son of Toumani Diabaté, who died in July 2024, Sidiki Diabaté draws his inspiration from tradition. Known for his participation in the Lamomali project in 2017 alongside Matthieu Chedid, his father and Fatoumata Diawara, Sidiki Diabaté has also released several opuses, including"Béni" in 2019, and"Kora lover", on November 22, 2024.

Sidiki Diabaté in concert at Paris La Défense Arena in February 2025
Sidiki Diabaté announces his return to the capital! Join the famous Malian singer, musician, composer and instrumentalist in concert at the Paris La Défense Arena on Saturday February 8, 2025. [Read more]

But when are the venue doors due to open on February 8, 2025? What time is the show due to start? The Paris La Défense Arena has lifted the veil on the practical and useful information you need to know in order to best prepare for your visit.

The doors of the Paris La Défense Arena open to the general public at 6pm. Opening acts are announced from 7pm. Sidiki Diabaté's show is scheduled to start at 8:30pm.

Sidiki Diabaté concert program in Paris

6:00 pm: Doors open to the general public
7:00 pm: Opening acts begin
8:30 pm: Sidiki Diabaté show begins

Paris La Défense Arena recommends that spectators arrive 30 minutes before doors open.

How to get to Paris La Défense Arena

Another piece of information concerns transport to and from the venue. In view of the large crowds expected, the venue is inviting spectators to use public transport to get to and from the Paris La Défense Arena.

As a reminder, you can take metro line 1 (La Défense stop), RER line A (La Défense stop or Nanterre-Préfecture stop), tramway T2 (La Défense stop), as well as Transilien lines L and U (La Défense Grande Arche stop), and RER line E (La Défense or Nanterre-le-Folie stops).

Paris La Défense Arena: how to get to the venue? What you need to know before coming
Europe's largest indoor venue is located in Paris, not far from the Grande Arche de La Défense. Throughout the year, the Paris La Défense Arena hosts numerous concerts, shows and sporting events. Planning to go there soon? Here are a few practical tips to help you prepare your visit and get to the Paris La Défense Arena easily. [Read more]

Locate your entrance

Paris La Défense Arena has several different entrances, depending on where you sit in the hall. Therefore, " the coloured access indicated on your ticket (yellow, red or purple) helps you to find your way around, but does not represent an obligatory point of passage for screening ", explains the Paris La Défense Arena, which advises you to go directly to the entrances indicated below:

Entrances to the pit are via entrance 33;
Entrances to the OR pit are via entrance 32;
Entrances to level 1 will be via entrances 34 and 60;
Entrances to dressing rooms and lounges are via entrance 21;
Access for people with disabilities and reduced mobility will be via :
- Entrances 38 & 60 for level 1.

"For reasons of ease and fluidity of access, access to security checks is not organized solely by order of arrival of spectators in the queue, but also takes into account the category of ticket and the fluidity of passage at the various points" Paris La Défense Arena would like to point out.

Forbidden items

On its website,Paris La Défense Arena sets out the list of prohibited objects at concerts, " in accordance with legislation governing establishments open to the public ". Forbidden are "all dangerous and illicit objects that are bulky, that could be used as projectiles and that could be a danger to spectators, visitors or artists, or that could be diverted from their intended use for malicious purposes ", such as bags and saddlebags over 10 liters, glass and metal containers over 50 cl, helmets, alcoholic beverages, noisemakers (horns, bells, etc.), rolling objects (skateboards, rollerblades, etc.) and unauthorized cameras.

On the other hand, small handbags (under 10 liters), retractable umbrellas and plastic bottles and water bottles under 50cl are authorized. For more information, visit the Paris La Défense Arena website.

Leave the room

Once the concert is over, we recommend that you return to Paris via La Défense station (Line 1 / RER A).

For all other directions, go to La Défense station for the Transilien L line. " If you're taking public transport to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Cergy and Poissy, you can get to Nanterre Préfecture station and take the RER A," adds Paris La Défense Arena.

Enjoy the Sidiki Diabaté concert!