WOMAD 2025: Delgres

French power trio Delgres reinvent the blues into a sound that is a mix of hypnotised rock, earthy soul and caustic, anarchic garage. 

The Band is named after a hero in the fight against slavery in the French Caribbean, where singer-songwriter Pascal Danaë’s ancestors were once enslaved. His ancestors were enslaved on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.  That ancester was Louis Delgrès, who led the fight against the re-institution of slavery there in 1802.  The island is where their musical journey begins, with the title track from their new album, '4 Ed Maten' (4 a.m). 

They're based in France, but their lyrics are mostly sung in Creole – and they tell stories, both lyrically and musically.  Their music is a vibrant vehicle for expressions of Danaë’s personal adventures, inner journey and family history. 

Building on his Caribbean touch, is the powerful beat of Baptiste Brondy’s drums and Rafgee’s reptilian bass lines on the tuba. A singer, songwriter, composer and musician, Danaë has worked with Peter Gabriel, Youssou N’Dour, Laurent Voulzy, Neneh Cherry, Ayo, Gilberto Gil and more, but feels that everything in his life so far has led to this moment and to Delgres.