Zenglen Live at L’Antillaise: A Close-to-Home Konpa Night I Had to Catch

By Moses St Louis

Two years ago, the last time I saw Zenglen live was when I had them performing at La Nuit du Konpa at Amazura. That night set a high bar for me, the kind of show that sticks in your head long after the lights come up.

So when I heard Zenglen was playing at L’Antillaise last night, only 30 minutes away, I wasn’t letting that pass. It felt like one of those rare lineups where everything lines up without a long drive, a hotel, or a whole weekend plan.

I also had extra reasons to go. I wanted to see Frerot (the added lead singer) perform live, and the other lead singer, ISIMIC, had my attention too. On top of that, the party was dedicated to my buddy Daniel Canot for his birthday. Add in the L’Antillaise vibe (intimate room, dinner if you want it, and guaranteed singing from the crowd), and the night basically booked itself.

Why I Couldn’t Miss Zenglen at L’Antillaise This Time

Catching a favorite konpa band at the right place and time isn’t always easy. Most of the time, it means traffic, tolls, and that feeling like you’re already tired before the first song hits. This time, the math was simple: a Konpa show I actually wanted to be at, in a venue I like, a short drive from home.

Past Zenglen shows also create a certain expectation. They’re not just a band you “listen to.” They’re a band you feel in a room. When you’ve seen them strong before, you show up hoping for that same tight sound, that same energy, and those moments where the crowd starts singing like it’s one big choir.

Last night had all the ingredients for a perfect match: Zenglen live, L’Antillaise as the setting, and a reason to celebrate.

La Nuit du Konpa at Amazura had that big-event pressure in the best way. You could feel people came ready. Many bands were in the line up: Klass, Ekip and Djapot.

What stayed with me most from that night was the pace. Zenglen didn’t drag songs, and they didn’t rush them either. They let the groove breathe, and the crowd followed. I remember thinking how their music hits different live because the band sound is built for movement, not just headphones.

That night also reminded me why Zenglen stands out on stage. They know how to build a set, pull the room in, then raise the temperature without losing control.

A great venue close to home makes the choice easy

Being 30 minutes away changes everything. It means you can show up relaxed, not stressed from the road. You can take your time, park without drama, and actually enjoy the start of the night instead of rushing in mid-song.

L’Antillaise also has a setup that works for konpa. It’s intimate, the sightlines are good, and the crowd isn’t stuck miles from the stage. People come to participate, not just to stand around. You hear real singing, the kind that tells you the room knows the music.

And if you want dinner, you can make it a full night without having to bounce around from spot to spot. It’s the kind of place where the venue itself adds to the mood.

Seeing the New Energy on Stage: Frerot and ISIMIC Live

Bands shift over time. Voices change, roles change, and the chemistry has to re-settle. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just real. For me, a big part of last night was seeing how the updated frontline felt in person.

I came curious, not judgmental. I wanted to hear if Frerot still sits well in the Zenglen sound, and how ISIMIC carries himself when the room is full and small and watching.

What I was hoping Frerot would bring to Zenglen’s live sound

Before the show, my hope was simple: veteran vocal with respect for the Zenglen style. Konpa dirèk singing has its own rules. It’s not only about range, it’s about phrasing, timing, and knowing when to push and when to lay back.

Seeing Frerot live again was the main curiosity for me. It’s one thing to hear talk, or catch quick clips, but live performance tells the truth. You see how a singer breathes between lines, how they talk to the crowd, and how they hold the band’s rhythm without stepping on it.

How ISIMIC stood out during the performance

ISIMIC also caught my attention, and for good reason. He brought confidence behind the mic, and that confidence showed up in how he carried certain lines. Some singers sound like they’re asking permission. He didn’t. He sounded present, and the crowd reacted to that.

What I liked most was how he fit into the night without forcing it. He has a unique style, and you can feel him getting more comfortable with the band as time goes on. It came across as growth, not pressure.

Daniel Canot’s Birthday Celebration Plus the L’Antillaise Vibe

A birthday dedication shifts the whole energy in the room. People aren’t only there for the band. They’re there for each other. That adds warmth, and it makes the night feel personal even if you don’t know everyone.

It also raised the stakes in a fun way. When it’s your friend’s celebration, you want the night to hit. You want the music to be right, the crowd to be right, and the vibe to stay up.

Daniel Canot’s birthday wasn’t just a detail, it was part of the mood. There were shout-outs, quick photo moments, hugs, and that steady stream of people checking in and showing love. You could tell it brought different groups together in one room.

A live konpa night is already social, but a birthday gives it a center point. It’s like the music becomes the soundtrack to a room full of memories happening in real time.

The L’Antillaise experience: dinner, singing, and an intimate crowd

The flow of the night felt natural. People arrived, settled in, grabbed dinner if they wanted, and caught up. Then the music took over, slowly at first, then fully.

That’s what I like about L’Antillaise. The room stays close to the stage, so you feel involved even if you’re seated. And when the crowd starts singing, you hear voices, not just noise. It feels like a community night, not a random party.

Zenglen’s Performance: Classics, New Voices, and a Look Ahead

It was all worth it. Zenglen gave a stellar performance and ran through a lot of their classic hits.

With full confidence, I’ll say it again: Frerot is one of the best konpa dirèk singers out there. He sounds molded for konpa, because he delivers it the way it needs to be delivered. The tone, the timing, the control, it all felt right in the pocket.

ISIMIC is getting more comfortable with the band day by day. He’s a very talented singer, and his unique style adds another color to the set. I like his confidence behind the mic, and it came through in the way he held the room.

The only slight thing I detected was the new drummer’s timing. Ti Richie is a great drummer, but his timing isn’t as tight as the Zenglen sound usually is. The former drummer, Kenny Cenat, mirrored how Richie used to play, and that tightness became part of what people expect from Zenglen. These are small details, but with a band like this, small details matter.

I also spoke to Maestro and band leader Brutus. He told me the band is in the studio preparing for new material in 2026, which is the kind of news fans love to hear after a strong live night.

A few of the songs Zenglen played:

• Zenglen Forever

• M’wete’l Dance

• Child Support

• 5 Etwal

By the end of the night, it felt like Zenglen did their part for konpa, and the crowd did the rest by singing it back.

Last night worked because it was the perfect match: a band I enjoy a lot, a venue I already like, and a short drive home. Frerot and ISIMIC also made the show feel fresh, not like a repeat of something I’d already seen. If Zenglen live lands near you, go. And if you like intimate konpa nights where you can eat, sing, and feel close to the stage, L’Antillaise is worth it.

I report, you decide