Sidiki Diabaté makes a triumphant return to Bercy

Paris (France), November 5, 2026. The date almost never happened. Originally scheduled for Friday, September 18, Sidiki Diabaté's concert at the Accor Arena was postponed just hours before the show: the artist had fallen ill during the final rehearsals. Tickets remained valid, the wait lasted seven weeks — and on Wednesday evening, November 4, the prince of the kora kept his word.

A packed arena for the prince of the kora

The images in our report show a full Accor Arena, on its feet, phones raised from the very first notes. At the heart of the show, Sidiki Diabaté returns to his royal instrument: the kora, played on stage alongside a singer in traditional dress, while a Malian flag waves above the pit. Heir to an illustrious family of griots and son of Toumani Diabaté, who died in 2024, he turned this comeback into a matter of transmission: making the kora shine, as he had promised his father.

Gazo and TRK, witnesses backstage

Backstage, two special guests praised the performance in front of Mory Touré's camera: rappers Gazo and TRK. “It was perfect… he is a great artist,” said one of them, “honoured” to have witnessed the night. The other sees Sidiki as “like a big brother” — and makes no secret of his dream: to fill a venue like this one, someday.

Mory Touré's report (2 min 09): the concert, the backstage and Sidiki Diabaté's interview.

“Only work pays” — and sights set on the Stade de France

On camera, Sidiki Diabaté savours the moment without triumphalism: fans who stayed “unshakeable” despite the postponement, and one conviction repeated like a modern griot — “only work pays.” Then he already looks ahead: after Bercy, the Stade de France. “We will do it for Africa,” he says, following in Gims' footsteps. Ahead of the concert, the artist had released his new single, “Infidèle”, on October 23. The return is signed; the conquest goes on.