Nono reconnected with his fans for a concert steeped in nostalgia. After nearly a decade away from the stage, Nono performed yesterday at CCESCA Antanimena to a captivated audience. The artist's voice has lost none of its power. For his reunion with the public, Nono delivered a concert marked by nostalgia, intimacy, and strong complicity with spectators. The CCESCA Antanimena venue was packed, reflecting the anticipation surrounding his return after several years of absence.
For the occasion, Nono was accompanied by a band featuring Mathieu on lead guitar, Rado on keyboards, Clark on soft keyboards, Josia on bass, and Baliaka on drums. Nono himself handled the saxophone parts. He opened the concert with "Tamberina," followed by several of his greatest hits, including "Mitomany," "Ny alaheloko anao," and "Miaka-midina." In a melancholic atmosphere, the artist performed his songs with his distinctive way of telling stories and anecdotes through music. "My songs are inspired by what I feel and what I observe in daily life," he explained.
Connection with the audience quickly developed. When Nono performed "Ilay Lasa aho," spectators asked to hear it again. The artist then reprised the song with them, letting the hall sing alongside him. The clearly delighted audience continued requesting more songs. Facing this enthusiasm, Nono invited spectators to choose three titles to perform. Their first choice was "Mandondona," followed by "Mitomany," then "Divaorsa."
For those present at CCESCA, this concert was primarily a journey through memories. "I discovered his songs while still in primary school, listening to his cassettes," one fan shared. The strong presence of older generations in the hall illustrates the special bond between Nono and a generation that grew up with his music. The concert continued with several audience favorites, including "Bedy foana" and "Ankizy milalao zao," performed in a rock version. Very close to his spectators, the artist maintained genuine interaction with the hall, which sang along to several of his songs in chorus.
Nono, whose real name is Roland Rakotondrainibe, began composing around 1972. Among the songs that marked his career are "Mitomany," one of his earliest works, as well as "Alaheloko anao" and "Lasa aho." His compositions draw from emotions, human experiences, daily life, and religion, with particular emphasis on sincerity.