MOG

Lucky me. I caught Electrelane last night which was also my first all female line-up in a long time. Seeing how there are quite a few fans here on mog and the recent announcement that the band would be on indefinite hiatus after this tour, I wanted to share the experience.

The Venue Normally the renovated factory, Le Transbordeur has a bar area separated from the main stage. The attendance was smaller last night but enthusiastic so the curtained off main room was perfect. I remember seeing Linton Kwesi Johnson in the same set-up a few years back and it was sublime. My guilty conscience kicked in while the concert was already in motion, the crowd was the smallest I have ever seen in this treasured venue. I was selfishly content in having this night to myself and the great people around me. Proof? Even with bar and toilets close to stage, not one interruption was made during the quieter opening performance, or for the rest of the evening to come.

Anni Rossi This shy but inspiring young singer hails from Chicago. Her viola folk pop is a great contrast to her lone and passionate voice. She was low-tech, using a wooden beat platform beneath her instead of the commonly used samplers. I am not sure why she is labeled under Italian songs on her MySpace though her sound is interesting yet traditional. An appropriate and endearing opener for the night. She's also a very cool person I hope to catch up with soon while she continues touring France. http://www.myspace.com/annirossi

Tender Forever Wow. Melanie Valera aka Tender Forever is electric! Her charming banter (in French, she is American but resides in France) warmed us, gathering us around the stage she ignored her cold/flu (story here) to dazzle us for her set. Her act was the total opposite of Rossi's, high-tech in laptop, drum machine and keyboard synth. Her pre-recorded backing tracks came alive with her force, so much power. I was impressed, she stands out from many.

Her style is hard to pin down. I would say electro-pop with a punk attitude and a rockers soul. The Blow on a big dose of lightening. Check this lady out! http://www.myspace.com/tenderforever

Electrelane By this point, I was already engaged in some conversation with a lovely woman from Montpelier and her friend. She knew the musicians and we discussed the all female gig, and our respective admiration for this musical feminism and so on. The lights went down and the main show began. We smiled.

I have heard since knowing about Electrelane that their live shows are awesome. I almost thought this wouldn't come to be since Arcade Fire had canceled their last tour to Lyon with them opening. Instead, I was so exhilarated for having this fantastic group on their own tour and rightly so.

The crowd danced and the group just kept sounding better and better as the evening progressed. My eyes were definitely admiring Emma Gaze's spectacular drumming and the bobbed front woman, Mia Clarke's great energy. The band were playing off eachother with great intimacy and spark, looking like they were enjoying themselves. It's hard to believe that this is their last tour.

Leaving after two encores, the woman from Montpelier came up to me and slipped something into my hand. She had given me the set-list I was eyeing throughout the gig and even introduced me to a local concert promoter who specialises in female acts. Wonderful and merci!

Here is the set-list:

Thank you to everyone who made this concert so special. http://www.electrelane.com

Other Female Performers Some other interesting artists to check out if you haven't already:

St. Vincent The Blow OOIOO CocoRosie Danielle Stech-Homsy Jenny Lewis Plastiscines Colleen Kaki King Laura Veirs