Air famous Moon Safari in Paris

Ahead of a reissue event for the 25th anniversary of Moon Safari, the Air duo performed in a packed Olympia.

Difficult to really categorize the public this Thursday March 7 at the Olympia. Although it remains very Parisian, the average age is high; no matter, since the enthusiasm never dies, especially for a group which comes to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its most cult album. Airformed by Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel, were released on January 16, 1998 Moon Safaria pivotal record in a timeless career. So, this evening in the room, there is the energy of all eras combined. The stage of this almost unique concert in France (they will perform on June 24 at the Philharmonie de Paris, during the Days Off festival), taking on the appearance of an anniversary tour, embraces a fervent audience. The group, coming as a trio with a drummer, all dressed in white, places itself at the ends of a dazzling and luminous setting, with a clever construction of mirrors and screens as a background.

Welcome to univ-air: heading to the moon. If the group performs the entire album brilliantly (without almost saying a word), it offers a second part of the concert, “Best of”, with the titles “Venus”, “Chessy Bloom Girl” and even “Highschool Lover”, mixing the records Talkie Walkie, 10 000 Hz Legend and the excellent soundtrack of The Virgin Suicides. The performance never overflows, Dunckel and Godin display their mastery as composers and musicians, sailing between eras, armed with guitars, bass and synth. As an encore, “Alone in Kyoto” and “Electronic Performers”… the last roar of Moog, between reflections and smoke. Air makes a curtsy and disappears. The trip was worth it.

Find this live report fromAir at the Olympia in WECB l'Hebdo n°152, available via our online store.