Loïc Painaye is a singer-songwriter and performer from Réunion Island, born in 1981. His passion for music began at the age of 15 when his father gifted him his very first guitar. At 18, he joined Diaspora, a pop-rock/metal band formed by fellow high school students from Réunion. It was during this period that Loïc started composing his own songs and performing in local bars around Saint-Denis.

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Two years later, he moved to Toulouse to pursue his studies. Far from his island and family, but still deeply connected to music, he began reflecting on his identity — what it means to be from Réunion, and the cultural roots that define him. These questions became a source of inspiration, leading him to write and compose music that explored these themes.

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In 2009, Loïc returned to Réunion with a renewed vision and assembled a new 7-piece band. Over the next three years, he focused intensely on songwriting and live performance, blending reggae, seggae, and maloya influences with global sounds. His distinctive style combines powerful rock guitar riffs with the smooth, jazzy tones of a saxophone. During this period, he performed extensively and released his second album, Soley, in 2012.

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With Soley, Loïc shared his personal vision of the world — as he feels and perceives it today. The album touches on socially conscious themes such as indifference to suffering and war, as well as universal love, faith, and the richness of Réunionese culture.

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At the same time, Loïc became increasingly involved in humanitarian and cultural projects. In 2011, he toured South Africa with the Alliance Française, sharing his music and cultural heritage with schools and local organizations. That same year, he also took part in the Aide a Li initiative, marking the 20th anniversary of the Abbé Pierre Foundation in Réunion, alongside many local artists and public figures.

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After a period away from the studio — more mature, grounded, and enriched by years of live performances and festival appearances (notably the Kréol Festival in Mauritius before an audience of over 100,000) — Loïc made his return. In collaboration with PrestigeUnltd Music, led by producer and manager Michaël, he released his third album, LOUANZ, which hit store shelves (including Fnac) across Réunion on December 20, 2017.

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Driven by heavier basslines, sharper guitar riffs, and more dynamic drum patterns, LOUANZ continues the themes of spiritual awakening and self-awareness introduced in Soley. The album explores questions of life, existence, and humanity’s purpose on Earth. Supported by his longtime bandmates — now more seasoned and tightly bonded than ever — Loïc delves deeper into his vision of Roots Rock Réunionnais with powerful songwriting and soul-stirring compositions.