NO self-respecting record collection would be complete without Moon Safari - the debut album by French electronic pop duo Air.
Romantic, sophisticated, innovative and dreamy, it was essential chill-out music when the album was released in 1998.
Hailed by critics, it fused vintage easy listening with pioneering electro-pop and set the standard for the zen dance vibe of the late Nineties. Not for nothing was Moon Safari included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
So to hear the entire album played live - in the beautiful surroundings of Halifax's Piece Hall, on a hazy summer evening - was a huge treat. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Moon Safari, Air delivered a sublime show to a sell-out crowd last night - the latest concert in the TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall 2024 summer series.
The historic courtyard was the perfect setting as the French music pioneers - Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel - walked on stage, dressed in white, oozing Gallic nonchalance, and launched straight into chic opening track La Femme D’Argent. Then came crowd-pleaser Sexy Boy, followed by the achingly beautiful All I Need, uptempo dance anthem Kelly Watch the Stars, and on through this extraordinary album to the sublime New Star in the Sky and Le Voyage de Penelope.
These intimate, other-worldly songs were given new life with a spectacular stage set, framed by a white box lined with a dazzling light installation and hypnotic video screen images. The duo switched effortlessly from synthesiser to piano and guitars, against the sweeping widescreen backdrop, bathing the courtyard in swirling colours.
The outdoor setting felt like sitting around a fire pit, chilling out to the tracks in the small hours, but with arena-like light displays filling the night sky.
Treating us to two encores, Nicolas and Jean-Benoît continued with Radian, Venus and Highschool Lover.
A gorgeous event, and an unforgettable evening of music. I could have watched them all night.
Setting the cool vibe for the evening was the excellent DJ Izzy Lindqwister.
* TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall has already broken records for ticket sales with more than 170,000 tickets sold across the series.
The series continues tonight (Thursday, June 27) with Mercury Prize winner Michael Kiwanuka.
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