Éric Cantona has spoken to NME about his debut live album, ‘Cantona Sings Eric’, working with Liam Gallagher and their subsequent friendship, as well as his hopes to one day perform at Glastonbury festival.
The football legend’s post-retirement career has included forays into acting, art, modelling and, most recently, music. ‘Cantona Sings Eric’, released on March 29, followed debut EP ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’ – and was recorded during his first ever European tour at the end of 2023. It included live versions of ‘The Friends We Lost’, ‘Je veux’ and ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’, all singles from the EP, as well as ‘I Love You So Much’ – a track that Cantona wrote especially for the fans of his former club Manchester United.
“I’ve always been passionate about art,” Cantona told NME. “Since I was a kid, I’ve felt the need to express myself through any kind of art. The last [art form] I hadn’t tried was music.”
Cantona started out by writing lyrics for his wife, the actress and musician Rachida Brakni, more than a decade ago – and recounted how the music editor of a well-known French arts magazine was presented with the album but refused to listen to music “with lyrics written by an ex-footballer”.
Later, Cantona wrote a song called ‘Le Temps Passe’ for Brakni’s band, Lady Sir, under a pseudonym, Auguste Raurich (inspired by his favourite uncle, Auguste). The same editor, unaware of Cantona’s involvement, this time praised the music and his lyrics specifically.
After that success, Cantona continued to write songs, releasing an EP in October last year. He embarked on a tour shortly after, selling out a string of UK and European live dates. He is currently finishing up his second tour, with the final show scheduled for Amsterdam tonight (April 26).
“I love to be on stage – and I love to be in front of the people, you know, singing or playing football or acting in a play in the theatre,” Cantona said. “I think music is a part of what makes us human. Even animals, you know, can feel the vibes of music. It’s like music was there before us. It can take you into another world, like sport can – if you play or as a fan. Playing live gives me a very, very strong feeling. I love it.”
Asked which musicians he takes inspiration from for his performances, Cantona said he tried not to watch his idols too closely for fear of accidentally imitating them. “On stage, I want to be free,” he said. “Of course, when you’re a teenager, you love [certain artists]. For me, I love Jim Morrison. I love Jacques Brel and Serge Gainsbourg but I don’t want to copy them. I have been inspired by people but I don’t do art to copy people. I want to express myself though my personality in my own way. I’m unique.”
Eric Cantona performs at Manchester Palace Theatre on April 20. CREDIT: Getty
Looking ahead, Cantona said he would like to expand his live band, which currently consists of a pianist and cellist (plus himself on vocals), so he can play bigger venues and to larger crowds. Perhaps, even music festivals.
“Maybe at the end of this year, I will have a drummer or electric guitarist, more musicians – which is a better way to play Glastonbury or another music festival,” he said. “They asked me to play a festival in France. But I said I’d prefer to go with a bigger band.”
As well as his own music, Cantona has collaborated with other musicians over the years, including an appearance in Liam Gallagher’s 2019 music video for the single ‘Once’. He also presented Best Music Film to Gallagher at the NME Awards 2020 for the documentary Liam Gallagher: As It Was.
Asked if they’re still friends, Cantona said: “Yes, of course… I listened to his new album with John Squire, the guitarist of The Stone Roses [titled ‘Liam Gallagher John Squire’]. It’s a great album. I love it. And they invited me to go and watch them live. I hope I can go, but I don’t think I can with all the [gigs I’m playing]. We’ll see.”
Cantona is following in Gallagher’s footsteps with his new live album – and referred to his friend’s record ‘Knebworth 22’, cut during the first of two sold-out shows at Knebworth Park in June 2022, as inspiration for his own release. “Liam’s album was unbelievable, and I did this project to be on stage with the people in front of my fans. I love that feeling.”
Éric Cantona’s debut live album ‘Cantona sings Eric – First Tour Ever’ is out now via Decca Records
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