RTL2's very, very private concert with Shaka Ponk: we were there, we tell you all about it

Following in the footsteps of Calogero and Vianney, Shaka Ponk took over the Studios Ferber in Paris's 20th arrondissement on Wednesday February 28 for RTL2's very, very private concert week. Here's a look back at this ultra-intimate set from a talented French rock band on the verge of extinction.

A great rock band on the verge of " extinction " in a legendary studio in Paris for a very, very private set. That's what we were lucky enough to experience on Wednesday February 28, 2024, during RTL2's very, very private concert week. Since February 26, the famous pop-rock radio station has been organizing a series of very intimate shows by French and international artists at the famous Studios Ferber. Located in the 20th arrondissement, the Studios Ferber were founded in 1973, and over the years have played host to some incredible artists, including Jean-Michel Jarre, Jean-Louis Aubert, Alain Bashung, Vanessa Paradis, Matthieu Chedid, Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg.

Usually closed to the public, these studios are exceptionally opening their doors to just 40 listeners a night, from February 26 to March 1, 2024, for this very, very private RTL2 concert week.

On February 28, RTL2 invited the members of Shaka Ponk. The French rock band, who announced the " extinction of their species " to devote themselves to environmental protection with The Freaks, are currently in the middle of their farewell tour. Nevertheless, Shaka Ponk agreed to drop in at the Ferber studios between two dates, to offer RTL2 listeners an intimate one-hour set. And what a show it was! While we were expecting an acoustic concert, Shaka Ponk had brought out the big artillery with the full band, including electric guitars, drums, double bass, keyboards, not forgetting the Sankofa Unit choir accompanying the group on tour!

But it's with a gentle touch that Shaka Ponk kicks off their set, with beautiful acoustic versions of " I'm Picky ", " Gung Ho " and " Run Run Run ". Wisely seated on cubes, Frah and Sam brilliantly pull off this intimate concert exercise, which they're not used to, as they're more accustomed to sharp riffs and jumps on stage, or even in the pit, surrounded by numerous fans. Shaka Ponk' s natural instincts soon kick in again, with a powerful and beautiful rock version of " The house of the rising sun ", followed by the politically committed " Je m'avance ".

The atmosphere rises again when Shaka Ponk belts out the first notes of the catchy " Wanna Get Free ". Not far from Sam and Frah, the 10 members of the urban choir Sankofa Unit sing along with their offbeat choreography, transforming themselves into disjointed puppets.

After opening the set with an acoustic version of " I'm Picky ", Shaka Ponk kick things into high gear with the much more intense and powerful electric version, before moving on to the excellent " J'aime pas les gens " and the effective " Tout le monde danse ". Between Sam and Frah, the complicity is obvious, and the glances exchanged between the two singers are numerous, while Steve - sporting his famous kilt - shakes his head and seems to take pleasure in this intimate concert so particular to them.

Having once again got us gesticulating with the excellent " Dad'Algorhythm ", Shaka Ponk decide to end their incredible set with a cover of Nirvana's sublime " Smells Like Teen Spirit ", with its secret blend of mellowness and angry rock.

Stunning, dynamic, successful and intimate, this very, very private Shaka Ponk concert for RTL2 seems to have put everyone in agreement: Shaka Ponk is and will remain a must-see live band. And just as well, the merry band continue their farewell tour with three concerts scheduled at theAccor Arena in Paris on November 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2024. The band will also be hitting the festival circuit with stops at Printemps de Bourges, Garorock, Hellfest, Carcassonne and Cabaret Vert.

As well as being talented, the members of Shaka Ponk are extremely kind. As soon as the set was over at Studios Ferber, the band came out to greet the 40-odd listeners present for the occasion and take selfies.