Indochine opened the 28th NRJ Music Awards on Friday night at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, and frontman Nicola Sirkis used the moment to address events beyond music. According to TF1 Info, which carried the ceremony live, the singer said the band did not feel like celebrating and instead sent thoughts to students whose work had been stolen and to those who had been robbed outright.
The veteran group performed "Victoria," a track from their latest album "Babel Babel," from the red carpet before moving into "L'Aventurier," their well-known 1980s song. They were later given an honorary trophy, following a tour of 110 dates that drew more than a million spectators over the past two years, TF1 Info reports.
The ceremony, hosted by Nikos Aliagas, aired from 21:10 on TF1 and TF1+, with the broadcaster running a live blog alongside the show. The NRJ Music Awards are presented as the only music trophies decided solely by the public through online voting.
Why it matters
Sirkis's remarks turned a mainstream awards broadcast into a brief platform for a social message, and they came at the top of the evening rather than in a side interview. The ceremony also underlined the awards' public-vote format, with winners crediting their fan bases directly, and it put a spotlight on French-language rap and pop acts alongside international stars.
Anyme takes the male breakthrough trophy
Eddy de Pretto handed the male francophone breakthrough award to rapper Anyme, who beat Danyl, Kanoë, Mauvais Djo and Rnboi. Anyme told the audience he had prepared nothing and had expected Rnboi to win, then thanked the community that voted for him, saying the trophy belonged to them as much as to him, according to TF1 Info.
Rnboi also performed his song "Mon bébé" during the show; he was nominated in the same breakthrough category.
Helena won the francophone concert of the year award, the evening's first trophy, presented by Pierre de Maere after a performance by Marine. TF1 Info reports that the Belgian singer, a former Star Academy student, was preferred over Céline Dion, Aya Nakamura, Bigflo & Oli and Orelsan, among others.
Bigflo and Oli presented the DJ of the year trophy to Mosimann, the Star Academy director, who was chosen ahead of Hugel, Martin Garrix, Ofenbach and Sound of Legend. Mosimann noted that he had entered the Star Academy exactly 19 years earlier to the day, thanked David Guetta for paving the way and his manager Maud Brooks, and addressed his child with the words "Darling, daddy won," TF1 Info reports.
International names and a francophone collaboration prize
Bad Bunny won the international male artist trophy, presented by the French duo Offenbach. TF1 Info lists Alex Warren, Bruno Mars, BTS, Harry Styles, Muse and Teddy Swims as the other nominees in that category.
Jungeli and Emma took the francophone collaboration of the year award and spoke about it backstage. Emma said she was stunned and thanked voters, describing the pair's heavy campaigning on social media and urging people never to let anyone tell them something will not work. Jungeli, who had just turned 18 and was a former contestant on "Danse avec les stars," said he knew he was privileged and wished strength to young people across France, according to TF1 Info.
David Guetta shared the stage with American singer Bebe Rexha for "I'm Good (Blue)" and "Say My Name." Charlotte Cardin, the Quebec singer who cut short her tour months earlier after losing her voice, returned to perform "Tant pis pour elle" and was handed an honorary trophy by Aliagas; TF1 Info describes her as the most-streamed French artist in the world of all time.
M. Pokora, described by TF1 Info as the record holder for wins at the awards, delivered a medley of his hits, opening with "Elle me contrôle," continuing with "Juste une photo de toi" and "Les Planètes," and closing with "Mille fois" backed by a gospel choir.
Other performances included Eva with "Sur la piste," Adèle Castillon with "Été avec toi," Tayc and Anyme with "Réanymé," and Jamie Miller and Antonio Cipriano with "Babydoll," which TF1 Info describes as a first on a French stage. Philippe Katerine and Superbus's Jennifer Ayache presented an award together.
Nominees across the main categories included Angèle, Aya Nakamura, Charlotte Cardin, Marine, Miki, Théodora and Vitaa for francophone female artist, and Bigflo & Oli among the francophone male artist contenders. Bebe Rexha was nominated for best international female artist alongside Ariana Grande and Karol G, among others.
Coverage of the evening also noted that Angèle had been dropped from the lineup, a detail reported by RTL in its preview of the show.
What to watch next: the full list of winners and any response from the students and looting victims Sirkis referenced, as the ceremony's remaining categories are confirmed.
