M83

Maps, M83/London Koko/7.07.09

I was a late comer to the M83, beyond even the realms of fashionably late. In fact, I was only beginning to discover the brilliance of songs like ‘Moonchild’, due to it’s chance appearance on a mix cd gift, when the general music geek population of the internet was questioning the brilliance of their most recent offering ‘Saturdays=Youth’. A record inspired by the soundtracks of 80s teen dramas which featured highly in many top album lists at 2008s tail end. It is due to that fact and 6 months of wrong time, wrong place with regards to his scattered UK touring this year that tonight is my first witnessing of the M83 live experience. For a lesser known reason, it is also my first time in Koko as a venue and it might as well be my last as there are very few acts that go with its classic theatre meets disco chic decor as well as tonight’s.

 

Before the highly anticipated union of me, Koko and M83 can take place there is the matter of the evenings support act and lablemates, Maps, to be dealt with. I understand that Mr. Maps (aka James Chapman) is often joined by four other musicians when playing live but this evening he is joined by just a second pair of hands manning the keyboards and some rather laughable red fairy lights. Although the songs from 2007′s Mercury nominated album ‘We Can Create’ sound OK they are performed with the enthusiasm of a pair of disgruntled teenagers doing it as part of some youth scheme they’ve been stuck on for stealing one too many curly wurlies from their local shop. There is also the addition of new material that will presumably feature on new album ‘Turning The Mind’ which is currently scheduled for a September release. All I have to say about this is imagine Kevin and Perry going large with a shoegaze twist; comedy gold, musical vomit. 

 

Despite earlier disappointments anticipation is still riding pretty high and, despite what in my opinion was pretty poor promotion, Koko is now almost full. We’ve positioned ourselves on the second balcony a prime spot for the view, the sound and a good lean when your back starts to go. The latter definitely coming in handy tonight with the generous set we are treated too by Anthony Gonzalez and co. Starting with what one of my companions described as a twenty minute key-board cock tease performed by Gonzalez in complete darkness before we hear any actual songs. The first track we get with full band in tow is ‘Graveyard Girl’ which is one of the tracks from the new album where Gonzalez took his firmest steps down the path of pop at this makes is a perfect opener. Like the rest of the set it is performed like a battle between him and the female performer opposite him, which I can only assume is Morgan KIbby who largely contributed to the production and arrangement of Saturdays=Youth. 

 

The set drew largely from the most recent album and 2005′s triumph Before The Dawn Heals Us with both ‘Don’t Save Us From The Flames’ and ‘Teen Angst’ being impressive parts of the show. Although, saying that, it’s difficult to distinguish any songs as particular highlights as much of the improvisation during and between songs meant the performance as a whole was a fresh experience for even the most obsessed M83 fans, and from the view we had of little pockets of the crowd dancing with what looked like euphoric ecstasy you can be assured fans of that intensity exist. The encore especially saw a renewed burst of dancing and enthusiasm in the crowd which ended in persistent, but unanswered, chants for a second encore. Always a mark of a great show.Â