Léo Nivot and Rémi Le Taillandier honed their skills in Le Mans thanks to the support and guidance of a local organization. After gaining experience as an opening act, including for the group Feu! Chatterton, the duo will embark on their own tour in the fall. On Friday evening, they were among the guests on Nagui’s show Taratata 100% Live.
They met during their studies in Chalons-sur-Saone and have been inseparable ever since. Léo Nivot and Rémy Taillandier are the two active and founding members of the group “Nous étions une armée.”
Although not originally from Le Mans, Rémi and Léo hold the city close to their hearts. Léo has family ties there, but most importantly, it was in Le Mans in 2021, just after Covid, where the two musicians, graduates from the Paris Conservatory, started their professional project and rehearsed their first songs on stage. This journey was supported and assisted by Superforma, a contemporary music venue, which provided support and assistance in musical creation.
“We studied in Paris and came back to rehearse in Le Mans,” explains Léo, the group’s singer. “Honestly, starting a band is really complicated. Now, we have a major show producer, teams working with us, but actually, the first people who believed in the project were the hardest to find. Because the project was still in its early stages, and since you have to envision it, you also need to be able to imagine what it could be. In Le Mans, the SMAC, Superforma, was our very first partner. They let us play, allowed us to rehearse, do residencies in great conditions, with welcoming teams that greatly boosted us. We had residencies at L’Oasis, we also played at the Péniche Excelsior, and during the Bebop festival at the Parc des Expos.”
“Nous étions une armée” secured the opening slot for Feu! Chatterton, a date at the Bebop festival, and also got selected for the Inouïs du Printemps de Bourges. After more than 70 concerts and numerous opening acts, the group will embark on a tour under its own name, returning to the Bebop stage.
Their lyrics, sung, and sometimes shouted, are aligned with groups like Fauve or Feu! Chatterton. These groups inspired them to take the stage.
“They showed us that it was possible to write in French and reclaim this language. Originally, we listened to Anglo-Saxon music. Now, the French language is at the heart of our project.”
While gaining recognition through their stage presence, a turning point may be on the horizon. Their recent performance took place on the set of Taratata 100% Live, on France 2.
A programmer recommended them to Nagui, who selected them for the show. By choosing to cover Edith Piaf’s “Milord,” a departure from their usual repertoire, the group stood out with a theatrical performance of the song.
Despite complexities of appearing on television, Léo openly expresses his somewhat contentious relationship with the small screen, shaped by childhood memories and influences.
Find us on our social networks and on our website france.tv
Context: Léo Nivot and Rémi Le Taillandier are a musical duo who started their career in Le Mans with the help of local support. They have gained recognition through various performances and are now embarking on their own tour.
Fact Check: The content contains information about the duo’s background, musical journey, and recent appearances on television, providing insights into their experiences and influences.
