Stromae is a Belgian musician who rose to fame in the late 2000s and early 2010s with his unique blend of electronic, hip hop, and world music influences. He has not toured since 2015 due to severe side effects from anti-malaria medication. Many fans are eager to know if Stromae will tour again and when they might be able to see him perform live.
Who is Stromae?
Stromae, whose real name is Paul Van Haver, was born in Brussels in 1985. He first gained recognition in 2009 with his song “Alors on danse” which became a number one hit in several European countries. His 2010 debut album Cheese also found success, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
Stromae continued his rise to fame with his 2013 sophomore album Racine carrée which debuted at number one on the French charts and number two on the Belgian charts. Key singles from that album included “Papaoutai” and “Formidable.” Stromae blended European electronic music with African rhythms and melodies to create his signature sound. He sings mainly in French.
Musical Style
Stromae’s musical style stands out for its fusion of hip hop, electronic, and world music influences. As a Belgian born to a Rwandan father, Stromae incorporates African rhythms and melodies into his music. He also raps in French over electronic beats.
His lyrics often focus on relatable topics like relationships, society, and daily struggles. Clever wordplay and the mix of French and African languages help make his lyrics unique and thought-provoking. Visually, his music videos are often striking and cinematic.
Commercial Success
Stromae achieved great commercial success in Europe, particularly France and Belgium. His first two albums Cheese (2010) and Racine carrée (2013) both reached number one on the charts in those countries. Some key accomplishments include:
– Over 5.5 million albums sold worldwide
– Multiple number one singles in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland
– Won Best French Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2011 and 2015
– Sold out the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City in 2016
Stromae’s Hiatus
At the peak of his fame in 2015, Stromae abruptly put his career on hold due to health issues. While on tour in Africa in 2015, he developed severe side effects from taking anti-malaria medication called Lariam. The side effects included anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and depression.
Stromae decided to step away from music and the public eye to focus on his recovery. He largely remained out of the spotlight for over 7 years until releasing his third album Multitude in March 2022. Fans were excited by his musical comeback, but questioned if he would ever tour again.
Side Effects from Anti-Malaria Medication
The anti-malaria medication Stromae reacted negatively to was called mefloquine or Lariam. It is a drug commonly prescribed to travelers visiting high risk malaria regions. However, mefloquine is known to potentially cause severe neuropsychiatric side effects in some patients including:
- Anxiety, restlessness, mood swings
- Depression, suicidal thoughts
- Hallucinations, psychosis
- Seizures
- Insomnia, nightmares
These side effects can persist for months or years after stopping the medication. Many travelers and health experts now consider mefloquine a last resort anti-malaria drug due to these risks. Stromae appears to be among the unlucky minority of patients negatively impacted.
Recovery Period
For over 7 years between 2015-2022, Stromae stayed out of the public eye to focus on his health and recovery. Little is known about his personal life during this time as he did no interviews and made no public appearances.
Reports indicate he spent time at home in Brussels with family and his wife Coralie Barbier. Stromae remained involved in the fashion industry during this period through his clothing line Mosaert which he founded in 2010.
But it wasn’t until March 2022 that Stromae reemerged publicly with new music and confirmation that he was feeling mentally and physically better. Fans were thrilled to see his comeback.
Stromae’s 2022 Comeback
After years away, Stromae made his highly anticipated musical comeback in 2022. His new single “Santé” was released in October 2021 followed by his third album Multitude in March 2022.
New Single and Music Video
Stromae released the single “Santé” in October 2021 along with an artsy music video. The song pays tribute to blue collar workers and talks about the mental and physical tolls of repetitive labor.
The music video shows Stromae playing various working class characters like a cook, factory worker, and office employee. Visually, it combines chorography, costumes, and sets to bring the lyrics to life. “Santé” gave fans the first glimpse of new music from Stromae in over 7 years.
Album Release
On March 4, 2022, Stromae released his long awaited third studio album Multitude. It includes 12 tracks blending pop, hip hop, electronic, African, and Latin influences. The album explores themes like mental health, addiction, nostalgia, and relationships.
Multitude was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. It reached number one on album charts in Belgium and France. Other standout tracks include “L’enfer” about suicidal thoughts and “Fils de joie” tackling the stigma around sex work. Fans and critics praised Stromae’s artistic evolution on the album.
Live Performances
Stromae made high profile live appearances to promote Multitude at major events like the KEXPRMUSIC festival and the Victoires de la Musique awards. His performances demonstrated his impressive showmanship with creative set designs and visuals.
Notable moments included Stromae confronting an audience member about cancer in “L’enfer” during his KEXPRMUSIC set and revealing new music during the Victoires de la Musique show. These appearances built excitement and intrigue around Stromae’s long awaited return.
Will Stromae Tour Again?
With his new album out and live performances under his belt, one key question remains – will Stromae tour again? He has not done a full concert tour since his health problems emerged in 2015. Let’s analyze the factors that may influence his decision.
Factors Supporting a Tour
Here are some reasons why Stromae may hit the road again soon:
- His comeback shows he is physically and mentally able to handle performances again
- Multitude and his singles have done very well commercially – there is clear interest from fans to see him live
- He seems invigorated by the creative process and excitement around his return
- Stromae is still relatively young at 37 and has decades of potential touring ahead
- His label and promoters will likely encourage a tour to capitalize on the momentum
Factors Against Extensive Touring
However, there are also good reasons why Stromae may limit extensive touring:
- His past health challenges may make him cautious about overexertion
- He may prefer focusing on studio work and fashion rather than live shows
- Stromae values his private personal life and may not want to sacrifice that for months of touring
- His perfectionism may make it hard to commit to a lengthy multi-date tour
- He may simply not enjoy touring as much as recording and want to tour minimally
What to Expect
Given these factors, it seems likely Stromae will tour again but in a relatively limited capacity compared to other pop stars. Potential expectations could include:
- A small tour focused on major European cities like Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam
- Select festival appearances and one-off shows versus a months long tour
- Tour dates spaced out over many months to allow for rest and recovery
- A visual spectacle of a show that is not overly strenuous or elongated for him
- No touring outside Europe to limit travel and potential health impacts
Stromae seems to now balance his health needs and passion for music wisely. Fans will likely get to see him perform live again, but in a smart, moderated way.
Conclusion
Stromae’s remarkable career was put on hold in 2015 when severe side effects from anti-malaria medication led to his hiatus from music. After focusing on his recovery for over 7 years, he made a celebrated comeback in 2022 with the hit album Multitude.
Though Stromae appears rejuvenated creatively, his past health challenges will likely make him cautious about extensive touring. Fans can likely expect to see him perform again, but in a moderated capacity focused on Europe. Stromae understands the need to balance his well-being and passion for entertaining. Regardless of what scale he tours on, audiences will be thrilled to experience his one-of-a-kind live performances again.
