Lyon has no shortage of live music events: The Jazz Room pays tribute to Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, while the Candlelight concerts offer a chance to rediscover classical and popular tunes by candlelight in venues such as the Chapelle de la Trinité and many others…
But from November 10 to 15, 2026, the Opéra Underground is giving the Compagnie Discobole carte blanche to explore maloya—a musical genre born from the island’s history—and its interplay with rock, jazz, and improvisation. Stéphane Hoareau and Théo Girard, who lead this company and record label, have put together the program with their guests.
Six evenings of musical events
Tuesday, November 10, 8:00 p.m.: Les Capsules Discobole brings together the band Shamane and three artists from the regional scene—Alice Perret, Anne Quillier, and Elvire Jouve—for a collaborative performance blending rock, improvisation, and fusion music. The artists will also interact with the audience between songs.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Prices: €12 to €15.
Wednesday, November 11, 6:30 p.m.: Stéphane Hoareau and Romane Deconfin will present a mini-concert and talk on the origins of maloya and its social and political significance, featuring songs and spoken word.
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes. Free admission.
Thursday, November 12, 8:00 p.m.: Trans Kabar blends maloya, rock, and improvisation in the spirit of their album *Somin*. Shamane rounds out the evening with an instrumental soundscape featuring hypnotic motifs. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. Prices: €15 to €19.
Friday, November 13, 8:00 p.m.: Trans Kabar shares the bill with Ritual Riots. Electric maloya meets the percussion and vocals of a group that bridges Réunionese rituals with Haitian voodoo. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. Prices: €15 to €19.
Saturday, November 14: At the Médiathèque du Bachut (Lyon 8th arrondissement), Théo Girard and Stéphane Hoareau will play the entire album *Rest’ La Maloya* by Réunion-born musician Alain Péters, followed by a discussion with the audience.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Free admission.
Sunday, November 15: to close out the week, a group of musicians from the Discobole Orchestra will gather in a circle around Christine Salem, her voice, and her kayamb. Maloya, Réunion blues, and jazz come together. James Stewart’s DJ set starts at 7 p.m., and the concert at 8 p.m.
Duration: 4 hours. Prices: €18–22.
Workshops and Outreach
On November 11, Romane Deconfin and Stéphane Hoareau will lead a maloya choir workshop at the Amphi of the Opéra de Lyon, offering participants a chance to discover Creole harmonies, rhythms, and poetry. Two one-hour sessions are scheduled, at 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The workshop is free, but registration is required through Compagnie Discobole: contact@ciediscobole.fr.
Théo Girard’s “Utïs” workshop, dedicated to tubular bells and the fundamentals of music, was scheduled for the same day at 10:30 a.m., but unfortunately it is already sold out.
Find details on showtimes, ticket prices, and ticketing on the Opéra de Lyon’s program page for “Maloya, From the Heart and Beyond.”
