Lindigo, a group from the island of Reunion, play the music known as Maloya. They are coming to Australia for a concert in Perth at the end of the month, and WOMADelaide festival in Adelaide in March. They play traditional instruments as well as an unlikely everyday object transformed into a percussion instrument. Olivier Araste talks to us about Maloya, which is not just music but an art of living. Read on to discover more.
Lindigo has been around for 20 years. Why and how did you set up the group?
It was the call of the Maloya. I was called by the Maloya. I believed in this music, in this art of living. Lauriane was by my side to support me in this adventure.
Who are the members of the group? Have the members changed over time?
In the beginning, there was one team, but things have evolved. There have been several generations of musicians.
The call of Maloya is still strong, and a new generation has taken over; the one I trained at my school in Paniandy City Maloya.
What instruments does the band play?
The main instruments are traditional Maloya instruments: the Roulér, the Kayamb, the Piker and the Sati. The Boîte aux lettres (letterbox) is a percussion instrument that we invented for an original sound. Of course, in the Maloya, there are also voices, dance and choirs.
Do you and the other members of the group have any formal musical training? Do you come from musical families?
Personally, my grandfather was a tambouyé (Hindu) chief and I learnt Maloya on my own. My children have grown up with it, they’ve been bathed in it, it’s become natural. As a result, it reflects the musical style of the Araste family, a unique Maloya Power, like Lindigo.
How has the group’s music changed Lindigo over the years?
It’s evolved through travelling, because for me, ‘behind the sugar cane field is the world’.
With Fixi, a Parisian accordionist who has become my friend and who produced Maloya Power, my 4th album, I began to develop my music. It’s my travels that have shaped Lindigo’s style of music. Basically, it’s the people I meet, the journeys I make and the spices I bring back in my suitcase that inspire me.
Why the name Lindigo? What does it mean?
Lindigo is a medicinal plant. It grows along roadsides and footpaths, in cane fields and even in the gardens of Réunionese families.
It is a plant with many virtues. It is highly effective for treating the body. Lindigo music is like herbal tea: it heals the body and the mind.
You’re from Reunion and you play the music known as Maloya, which is described as combining the domains of music, song and dance. How are you inspired by Maloya?
Maloya is part of my daily life. When I wash the dishes, sweep my garden, feed my chickens or look after my animals, that’s Maloya.
I’m talking about life in general, but Maloya is always present. I was born with Maloya, I breathe Maloya, I eat Maloya, I sleep Maloya and I will die Maloya. My whole life is there, in the Maloya.
Maloya was born to express the pain and revolt of slaves of Madagascan and African origin. Do you sing about the same subjects? What subjects and messages do you sing about?
When you hit the skin of the drum, of the rouler, you feel the suffering of the ancestors.
Maloya is a metaphor, an alchemy. You can sing your Maloya while crying, recounting a difficult day, or sing of your enjoyment of life when you’ve had a good day. You can also sing about your anger. That’s what Maloya is all about, saying what you feel.
How do you convey the meaning of your songs to English-speaking audiences?
Maloya is all about feeling, it’s not just a melody and a rhythm. Even if the person in front of you doesn’t understand what you’re saying, it’s all about emotion and feeling.
Come and discover it: the sound of the roulér, the kayamb, the sati, the piker… Maloya is like a herbal tea, a blend of emotions and flavours.
Have you performed in Australia before?
Yes at AMWE in 2011 in Melbourne.
What can Australian audiences expect from your concerts at WOMADelaide, Port Fairy and Perth Festival?
Come and experience Maloya, the music that comes from the volcanic soil of La Réunion, from Bras-Panon, from Paniandy City.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
‘Lindigo Nouvelle Generation’ arrives with our latest album, ‘Oyé Maloya’, which has just been awarded ‘Best Local Artist Album’ in Réunion by FNAC Musique Réunion .
We’re really looking forward to meeting you in Australia! Happy New Year and lots of happiness to you all!
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We thank Olivier Araste for this interview and cannot wait to see Lindigo at WOMADelaide 2025.
KEY INFO FOR LINDIGO AT WOMADELAIDE
WHAT: The group Lindigo at WOMADelaide
WHEN: Lindigo will play the night of Friday 7 March, and the day of Saturday 8 March. They will also present cuisine from the Reunion in a Taste the World session at 7:30pm on Saturday 8 March.
WHERE: Botanic Park, Adelaide
HOW: Purchase your tickets on the WOMADelaide website
HOW MUCH: You can choose tickets for a single day or for 3 or 4 days.
Prices are as follows:
Friday night
$180 adults
$162 Concession
$126 Youth (aged 13 to 17)
Saturday, Sunday or Monday
$240 adults
$216 Concession
$168 Youth (aged 13 to 17)
3 days (either Friday to Sunday or Saturday to Monday)
$445 adults
$311 Concession
$ 300 Youth (aged 13 to 17)
4 days (every day and evening of the festival) :
$ 465 adults
$418 Concession
$ 325 Youth (aged 13 to 17)
Admission is free for children aged 12 and under.
KEY INFO FOR LINDIGO AT PERTH FESTIVAL
WHAT: A free concert by the band Lindigo
WHEN: Friday 28 February
WHERE: East Perth Power Station
HOW: No need to book tickets, it’s a free concert.
HOW MUCH: It’s free!
