Nouvelle Vague and Berry @ TheFactory, Sydney (16/6/2010)

Fri 18th Jun, 2010 in Gig Reviews

So Frenchy So Chic do their best to bring a little bit of French sophistication to our shores. Australia is currently immersed in the loud, late night, insanity that is the World Cup, and something quieter and more civilised is a welcome diversion. Nouvelle Vague have also released their third album of imaginative eighties new wave, punk, and post punk covers, and that deserves to be promoted.

The Factory is bustling with people when I arrive and Berry is on stage indulging the crowd with her intimate chansons. I can not claim to be a big fan of this style of music, despite having some Serge Gainsbourg and Bridget Bardot in my confused record collection. The reviews I have read claim that Berry is good at what she does.

That may be true, but it is not the impression she left on me. I found her dreary, and having nothing but two acoustic guitars accompanying her only made the songs duller. My disinterest was at opposites to the crowd who were enthralled by her musings and relaxed style. Maybe I am an uncultured, English speaking heathen, but elevator music is just not my thing.

Nouvelle Vague showed a lot more promise when they came on stage. Two singers, drums, electric double bass, acoustic guitar, and keyboards hinted at a more lively performance. And lively it was. They worked the stage, they worked the crowd, and they put the fun in music. That is a good thing, because pop music should be fun.

Nouvelle Vague have an ever changing crew of singers, and this time we have Phoebe Killdeer and Mareva Galenter. Mareva is a multi talented performer, and French sexpot. She flirted and enticed the audience in French and English, and identified that half the attendees were French. Phoebe is extraordinary. She has an amazing voice and is bursting with charisma and style and she reminded me of the wonderful Eartha Kitt. She lifted the show and was captivating when she was centre stage. Both of them could work the crowd and they had everyone singing throughout the night.

Nouvelle Vague rework the classics of the alternative scene of the eighties in unexpected ways. Too Drunk To Fuck was introduced by Mareva as what happened to her when she arrived in Sydney after the long flight from Paris. The live version was longer, more playful, and more rollicking than the album version, with the crowd encouraged to swear. In contrast, their interpretation of Making Plans For Nigel was a very solemn affair. A quiet and restrained song that became darker than the original.

Part of the appeal of Nouvelle Vague is their ability to add new life to songs we love. Phoebe channeled old school horror movies for her performance during Bela Lugosis Dead and was mesmerising. Most of the songs were great, but I thought their interpretation of God Save The Queen, by the Sex Pistols did not work. The music and lyrics mesh together for Johnny Rotten and his anger charged band, but do not adapt to the acoustic style well. Everyone else seemed to love it though, so maybe I am an uncultured heathen after all.

The band finished with a sing-along version of Love Will Tear Us Apart, but came back for a short encore after rapturous applause from the crowd. It was an exuberant performance and a masterful display of musical talent that showed a deep appreciation for the source material.

Nouvelle Vague sont très bonnes.

Check out the photos from the gig here