"Giving concerts helped me get through difficult times, like my cancer days": during a visit to La Crau, CharlElie Couture spoke about his relationship with the stage

When he takes off his glasses, his blue eyes pop out. Sparkling with mischief and passion. Friday night, CharlÉlie Couture was at La Crau. A free concert, born of encounters... and a bit of chance. Last year, comedian Mathieu Madénian performed on the same stage. It was he who suggested CharlÉlie's name to the municipality. Twelve months later, and after a few phone calls, the multi-talented artist arrived with his 26 albums in his suitcases. He had promised us a 5 to 10-minute interview... we happily exceeded the half-hour mark. From his ties to the Var to his vision of art, from music to his projects, CharlÉlie burst at the seams.

It seems that you have some ties in the region...

A lot, even! My wife is originally from Toulon, where she lived and studied. Her mother was still living here a few months ago; she just moved. I came here regularly. I was actually telling my wife that it was weird that she wasn't here. She was always waiting for me when I got off the train when I came to play in the area.

With "Contre-toi," you released your ^26th album. A ^27th , dedicated to the environment and duets, is in preparation... So you never stop?

It's a bit like locomotives: they use more energy to get going again than to move forward. This job has allowed me to get through difficult times. The main thing is to have objectives, to set goals in life. It allows you to cut through the fog. I already have a story behind me, but I still take as much pleasure in doing what I have to do.

At a concert like the one at La Crau, you perform some of your favorites. Do you ever feel a sense of weariness with these pieces?

I've made 26 albums, hundreds of exhibitions, published 25 books... And yet, we always highlight Like a Plane Without a Wing , even when I propose something new. Everything is sometimes summed up in that. It forces humility, even if I accept this title that I use again like this [Friday] evening.

You define yourself as a "multi-talent," a sort of unclassifiable jack-of-all-trades...

Commercially speaking, it wasn't a good idea to be multidisciplinary. (laughs) But hey, it's in my nature. A guy who is, as I consider myself, multidisciplinary, multi-talented – a bit like a triathlete – isn't going to change what nature has made him. Today, with social media and the considerable importance that communication has taken on, we tend towards simpler things.

Can't find your way around?

When you come up with a slightly more complex message, like the one that says inspiration comes before success, it's too complicated. We just want people to distract us, to consume like sweet fruit. And there you have it. Culture is very often associated with distraction, pleasure, joy... I'm not against it, but I believe that someone's life is not just about wedding day smiles.

Does juggling between different art forms allow you to say different things depending on the medium?

Music is the only art that induces this trance-like state, that sets the body in motion. Painting or literature don't allow it. Performing concerts has allowed me to get through difficult times, like my cancer, thanks to this energy shared with the audience. When I paint or write, I'm happy to share it, but it's not the same intensity as a record.

Woody's friend from "Toy Story"

Throughout his career, CharlÉlie Couture has composed around twenty film soundtracks. But for younger audiences, he is also the voice of Woody in Toy Story , for the cult song " Je suis ton ami" (I am your friend ). A story that came to him almost by chance.

"I've always appreciated the work of Randy Newman, the composer of Toy Story . I was approached with the idea of writing his songs for the film. I accepted, on the condition that I do an adaptation, not a simple translation. That's how it happened! It was still a strange experience. Working with Disney is an industry that's coming up. It's like the Caterpillar versus a snail!"

A title that we find in the first opus of the saga… but also in the latest one, released in 2019.

Charlélie Couture will be at the Théâtre de Grasse on May 6, 2026 at 9 p.m. 28 euros. www.theatredegrasse.com