Eurokéenes 2013 Recap: -M-
BY: LAURÈNE STURM
Eurockéennes 2013 is already over. To keep this sweet flavor in our mouths a little bit longer, we’re bringing you a report of a few of the concerts that put their mark on this edition of the festival.
For Thursday, I would have thought that Jamiroquai would’ve held the public in suspense. It was a show for the sharks, as clean as it was cold. We preferred to move towards the king of French pop rock, who has kept that title since 1998, -M-. It was admittedly not easy to renew the magic after so many years, with the somewhat disappointing family album “Mister Mystère,” but the album “îl,” with its rock tone, is more in continuity, like the title track “Mojo.”
But what about on stage? As always the show was full of energy and generosity, and a little more simplicity for the artist that doesn’t have anything to prove. Only Mama Sam, the afro beat and the voice of Cyril Atef missed a bit. It was then the giants “big people of Boromo” that invaded the stage before the crowd was finished with Mama Sam’s ceremony (but you knew, with the “shhh” and a hand in the air).
Even if, as we said, Cyril Atef and Vincent Segal were branded -M- the new musicians who played on this album were remarkable. Lawrence Clais, the drummer based in hip hop, brought sharper strikes and Brad Thomas Ackley, his bassist, armed with an even stranger instrument than the famous old red electric cello, we basically had some sort of key guitar or “basstar” on the stage. Their sounds, but also their attitudes, help to give this album a touch of virility, even as much as the singer himself.
The real surprise? The umpteenth version of “Machistador,” a colorful reprise that ended in a downright disco, with a mash up of “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life.” As you can see from this video of the 2013 tour, it is rather energetic and quite well done to re-enchant a flagship title that seemed tired.
To sum it up, it was electric live rock, that makes everyone want to let go and forget their cornflakes complex!
For info and the latest tour dates, ici