words by Patrick Longstreth, photos by Dakota
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Lemonade seemed genuinely excited to be on stage, and they performed as though they were there in front of a packed house. By their last song this enthusiasm had been translated into a head bopping crowd. The lead singer's operatic voice coupled with some interesting steel drums made for a distinct sound, and Cale seemed to be enjoying himself.
Sebastien Tellier exudes something, but it is not sex. He has a few great songs, and I am in love with the music video for Roche... However, his shabby/chic, rockstar/pornstar vibe is intriguing and terrifying all the same.
A quick scan of each band member's attire told us we were dealing with musicians from some far away land - possibly the future or another planet. Nothing says French like the drummer's horizontal stripes. The keyboardist (who I later witnessed making out with a cute blonde for half an hour at DC9) was wearing some sort of nautical themed polyester shirt with a very business haircut. Sebastien strolled out looking half drunk in his glossy red jacket, black sunglasses, and already sweaty hair. A girl next to me remarked "he's like the creepy old guy who shows up to perform at a high school party."
The first few songs were great (if you want to hear about the music, read pitchfork, I'm just focusing on their stage behavior). The crowd was loving it. Then Sebastien started fondling random objects - microphones, the neck of his guitar, his own finger, etc. This was a technique that would be employed throughout the show. He murmured something about being bisexual.
About half way through the show Sebastien positioned himself behind the piano. The songs got a lot slower and less danceable. It had a nice ambient feel, but the friday night crowd was aching for something to get their groove on and the band wasn't delivering. The fans formed a swirling hipster purgatory where the only thing you could do was sway awkwardly and ask what bar and/or party everyone is going to after this.
Just as I thought the band was petering out, Sebastien layed down on top of his piano and started doing some sort of sexy lounge singer routine. The way he was kicking his legs around made me start to think this was all an act. He chugged 1/3 of a bottle of some clear substance.
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Then things started to get more creepy. Sebastien went back to his nipple tweaking and mircophone fondling as the band continued to play as though nothing was happening. There was a particularly weird quality to his slow sexual self pleasuring. It reminded of this comedy skit (which again made me think this could all just be an act or a cry for attention maybe).
For Sebastien's grand finale, he made his way to front-center and, in full light, slowly put his left hand down his pants. The hand stayed there for 45 seconds, exploring but not really pleasuring. "Hey, don't mind me while I adjust my package for a really long time." Just as I thought we were all going to have Jim Morrison moment, Sebastien left his pants buttoned, raised his hand in the air, and finished the set.
Its as though he is trying to tell us, "hey, look at me. I look and act like a homeless person - and I'm still a sex symbol!" But as the show sludged to a hault, male and female alike just seemed a little grossed out.
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Previously in Live DC:
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Adicts @ RNR Hotel
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Donkeys @ Black Cat
- 5/23: LiveDC: The Barr Brothers w/ Kishi Bashi @ The Hamilton
- 5/23: LiveDC: Damien Jurado @ Black Cat
- 5/23: Report: Soundbites 2012
- 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
- 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
- 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
- 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
- 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
God loves a cheerful giver.
Man, this is damning. Surely it wasn't that bad! What did y'all folks who saw the show think?
PS
Two things that make me wanna grind my teeth.
1. Gibson Explorers (unless you're the edge)
2. Oversized fake glasses
you forgot the part when he threw up brown liquid 3/4 through the show.
Lemonade killed it.
After about 5 Tellier songs my lady turned to me and said "um, do you wanna go home and watch some BSG?"
I replied "Yeah, they are just trying way too hard."
lemonade = supergood, but i didn't catch the show friday cause i didn't feel like ponying up $20 to see tellier, who i don't really like, when lemonade is coming back to the R&R
sounds like 2 points for me
the chugging photos is pretty amazing.
booboo trif
Patrick, you seem like a really smart guy with good taste, except for calling in a defense of Sebastien Tellier?
Dear Sebastien Lovers,
I'm sorry if you're offended. I like his music too which is why I went to the show. I'm just reporting what I saw.
XOXOXO
Pat
the reports of him chugging shittons of alcohol and consequently puking are quite humorous, considering our interview couldn't happen because sebastien was "sick" all day, the day BEFORE the DC show...
i'm disappointed that you all didn't enjoy the show. when i saw him in new york over the summer it was one of the best shows i saw all year. and not to say that i enjoyed all the long-haired eurotrashy frenchmen hitting on me and parle-ing francais, but sebastien...there is something grotesquely sexy about him, i think, and i also think he is an incredible songwriter. at any rate....
Dude he chugged a bottle of white wine and then threw up on himself and on the audience a little. I saw it and it was over the top! Straight up ridiculous. I had to leave because it couldn't be topped...
The show was weird...but I've been the rocking the cd all week.
the record is great. at first, you're kind of embarrassed to listen to it (like: really? am i really spending time with this? what is this? eurovision on drugs?) but then it sinks in and it is great.
I sort of wish I stayed now to see the puking.
shrimp... and white wine!
What did you expect? It's a Sebastien Tellier concert, of course there is going to be drinking + sexiness. That's what his music is all about. I personally thought it was an amazing show, and Mr. Tellier is a very talented songwriter.
my boyfriend even has a crush on him.