20 February 2008 (gig)
29 February 2008
On Wednesday the 20th, Frenchmen Sébastien Tellier played a set in East London’s Rough Trade Records. It included several new songs from his upcoming third studio album, Sexuality. It was produced by Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk, and will be released on Air’s, Record Makers label. It was one in an ongoing series of in store performances, with Pete and the Pirates playing this past Monday, and Radiohead having had their surprise January show originally scheduled there, before moving just a block away to 93 Feet East. The show was set for 19.00 according to the Rough Trade website, but the crowd gathered outside wasn’t admitted until around 19.25.
Tellier’s brand of over the top dance music is steeped in sultry seduction. His presence is overbearingly ridiculous, perfectly suiting his sound. Confidently sporting pitch black, rectangular sunglasses, a Seinfeld styled puffy white dress shirt, and a pink scarf. He was accompanied on stage by a two musicians playing synthesizers and keyboards, and a drum machine for a rhythm section. His new songs were similar to the old, but enjoyable none the less. The floating synth lines, distorted funk bass lines, and Tellier’s varied guitar provide the perfect backdrop for his singing. Vocal effects galore, his layered harmonies and samples of female moaning are the center of this atmospheric dance sound. The crowd was mostly still, as I’ve grown used to at shows here in London. However, one reporter couldn’t refuse these grooves, and was left no choice but dance.
Sexuality will be released on February 25th, be sure to get yourself a copy.
