all photos: Jordan Edwards
Until I interviewed Olivier Libaux last Tuesday, I thought that Nouvelle Vague didn’t make a lot of sense. On one hand, I loved the idea of a group reinterpreting classics of the punk and new wave era. But to incorporate elements of bossa nova, jazz and easy listening sounded rather frightful, and even a bit sacrilegious. After all there’s a fine line between homage and Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine. But thanks to a very insightful conversation with Monsieur Libaux (and a sneak peak at their 3rd album), all doubts were erased from my mind. I realized that Nouvelle Vague approach these songs with a sincerity that safeguards against all accusations hokiness or kitch.
OK, so Olivier had won me over philosophically. But could he and his bandmates translate their love of new wave into an enjoyable live experience? This was the question rattling through my brain as I rode the bus up to La Maison Française (part of the French Embassy) in Georgetown. I arrived a little bit early so that I would have time to meet with friends and have a look around. I couldn’t help but marvel at the stage set up and the general ambiance of the performance area. Without having heard a note, I was already getting a very good feeling about my Thursday night.
Nouvelle Vague took the stage around 9pm and launched into a moody rendition of the Cure’s “One Hundred Years, ” the opening track from 1982’s “Pornography.” To hear this song without pounding drum machines and heavily processed guitars was quite an experience. I have always been someone who pays more attention to production and musicianship rather than the lyrics (with the exception of the Beatles and Morrissey). But thanks to Nouvelle Vague, I was forced to pay attention to the words. And I was genuinely surprised at the beauty of “All My Colours (Zimbo)” and the cheekiness of “This is Not A Love Song.” Furthermore, the band’s arrangements were very well thought out and sounded great. Take for example, the stripped down approach to Gary Numan’s “Metal” or the melodica infused “Master and Servant.”
The highlight of the evening came towards the end of the set, when band transitioned from “Blister in the Sun” to a celebration of two of the greatest groups to ever come out of Manchester. Of course, I speak of Magazine and Joy Division. I’ve been listening to Magazine’s “Real Life” for the last month, so it was a real treat to hear “Parade” redone in a sweeping John Barry style. Closing with “Love Will Tear Us Apart, ” was an absolute knockout. Especially when the audience sang along during the final chorus. It was one of those moments that made you wonder why some of these songs are just ‘cult hits.”
SETLIST ( an “x” denotes a song whose title I don’t remember w/ failed to write down).
*One Hundred Years
*Road to Nowhere
*Master & Servant
*Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t've)
*This is Not a Love Song
*X
*Guns of Brixton
*Too Drunk to Fuck
*God Save the Queen
*Just Can’t Get Enough
*Metal
*Dance With Me
*All My Colours (Zimbo)
*Blister in the Sun
*Parade
*Love Will Tear Us Apart
ENCORE
*Friday Night, Saturday Morning
* X
really?
as i said before-i’ve seen them at the same space in 2006 and thought the cabaret like nature of the performance was completely spot on. by the end of it then they had dignitaries dancing in the aisles and singing along to songs like “too drunk to fuck”. i still remember it as one of the funniest, most endearing performances i’ve ever seen.
@ Lily
My complaints:
1. Keyboards weren’t loud enough in the mix.
2. They didnt do “The American.” (after all that talk about early Simple Minds!!!!)
Other than that, I didn’t think it came off as a bad karaoke performance. Surely you’re being a bit harsh on their gig, budddddddy.
June 22, 2009 at 2:50 pm@Lily,
Couldn’t agree more. I was there with a friend and neither of us had ever heard Nouvelle Vague before. They are one of the more abominably shitty bands I’ve heard in my entire life. I left early to salvage what was left of the night.
June 22, 2009 at 3:15 pmWow, really surprised at the haters. Thought it was a great performance. Both singers brought something to the table, and the drummer was spot-on. I also liked how they varied up the set with different combinations of performers.
Wished they would have played Killing Moon, though!
June 22, 2009 at 3:45 pmTheir cover of “Zimbo” is better than their “Killing Moon.” There, I said it.
June 22, 2009 at 4:17 pmI went to the completely hipster free Aggrolites show instead of this, but ended up sitting downstairs talking instead of seeing the show. Now I can’t tell if I made the right decision or not.
June 22, 2009 at 5:00 pmOh, I forgot, willingly: it wasn’t hipster free. That overly tall dancing guy who takes his shirt off to show his hairy chest at all DJ events was there.
June 22, 2009 at 5:03 pm
first time at the embassy, nice digs
the band was disappointing to say the least
transforming their gorgeous sound to a bad karaoke performance, must be the new blond in the group, downright sloppy
and the Gary Newman-loving friend i brought was beyond disgusted at their rendition
June 22, 2009 at 2:37 pm