Yelle @ Oxford Arts Factory,Sydney (6/8/11)

Fri 12th Aug, 2011 in Gig Reviews

All the way from France, Julie Budet of electro-pop act Yelle lived up to the name – the French acronym for ‘you enjoy life’ – after delivering a set of high-octane fun to a sold-out Oxford Art Factory.

Known for her borderline explicit lyrics sung in French, Yelle has risen swiftly from her origins of MySpace fame to support the likes of Katy Perry, and after releasing sophomore album Safari Disco Club earlier this year, has captured the attention of many a fan across both sides of the globe. Now a three-piece, Yelle enlisted producer Grandmarnier and Tepr on her trip down under for this year’s Splendour in the Grass, and amidst leopard print and safari suits, boasted a live set-up with enough percussion to have even the shyest of punters bopping along.

As the perfect choice for supports, Mitzi didn’t take to the stage till shortly after 10pm. Being a Saturday night, though, no-one seemed to mind, and the Brisbane four-piece are more than worth waiting for. Fresh faced and all smiles, the guys were quick to create that warm disco they are becoming so well known for. The crowd were as enthusiastic as you could hope to have them, readily eating up the lush basslines and syncopated beats that turned the floor of the Factory into a buzzing club. The future for Mitzi certainly seems bright.

As the clock hit 11:30, Budet emerged beneath a rainbow-sequined cape, and just like dynamite, was ready to explode. From there on in, to the opening track of S’éteint Le Soleil the lithe Budet danced her away across the stage, executing each lyric with perfect precision. Whilst many audience members may not have understood their meaning, the enthusiasm was palpable. Grandmarnier held down live percussion, with DJ Tepyr on synth, each coming up front to stir the crowd intermittently.

A costume change into a scarlet, leopard-print jumpsuit and a cheeky French accent had the crowd screaming for more Budet, and the three worked through tracks, Ce Jeu, Unillusion and Je Veux Te Voir, with the Siriusmo-produced number, La Musique being a particular standout. The self-titled track Safari Disco Club was the finale in its melodic steel-drum splendour, before an encore of Cooler Couleur and A Cause Des Garçons. This was a night of wholesome electro-pop fun that had the audience in raptures. For an international sound translating so well live, the response was certainly merited.