On the occasion of World Rock Day, celebrated every July 13th, artists and organizers are highlighting the vitality of a musical genre that continues to captivate all generations in Madagascar.
From elders to the youth, rock music continues to resonate with Malagasy people. While young people make up the majority of the audience today, their passion is often fueled by that of their elders, who pass it down from generation to generation. This dynamic was once again illustrated during several major events, notably the Ultimate Show held last June, confirming that rock maintains an important place in the Malagasy musical landscape.
For Aina Nirina, from the band As Rock Show, pop rock is among the most dynamic styles in this music scene. He also notes a clear evolution in the audience. “In the past, many associated rock concerts with a bad image. Today, spectators come with their families, respect is present, and the atmosphere has evolved considerably,” he testifies. According to him, this transformation attracts more and more young people without alienating previous generations.
The success of the Ultimate Show illustrates this evolution. For Rado Ramamonjisoa, owner and manager of Garage Mozika, the event far exceeded expectations. “We expected to reach half of our goal, but we ended up doubling it,” he summarizes with satisfaction. He recalls that the ambition was to offer “a great popular celebration in a larger space so that everyone could fully experience the festivities.”
The event was also distinguished by an awareness campaign conducted with several partners to encourage the public to keep the site clean and not to throw cigarette butts on the ground.
Beyond this success, Garage Mozika intends to continue its commitment to the music scene. New events are already being considered to offer more visibility to young talent, notably through concerts organized in partnership with Tselatra’s 45th anniversary at Antsahamanitra. The goal is also to gradually expand the programming to other musical styles, without limiting it to rock.
Rado Ramamonjisoa finally extends his thanks to all participants. “This event brought together all generations, from the 1980s to today, and it will remain engraved in the history of Malagasy rock and metal,” he asserts. He acknowledges, however, that organizing a show of such magnitude still involves several challenges, particularly the protection of communication materials, such as posters and banners, which are often removed before the event.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-15 05:41:40 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/musique-le-rock-tient-une-place.html