I have been to many of London's music venues and, just like seeing a band for the first time, the chance to go to a new one is an interesting experience. But what I didn't expect was to find one resembling the Top of the Pops studio inside a shopping centre.
However, that was exactly where Stereolab were playing their first London shows since the untimely death of vocalist and guitarist Mary Hansen. How would the band adapt without her, and would the packed crowd approve of a Stereolab without such a key member?
There simply is no other band like Stereolab. By fusing a whole range of genres, they have created a niche all of their own. Where else would you see a girl in a flowery dress playing a huge trombone and singing in French
Bizarre? Yes. But Laetitia Sadier and co proved that Hansen's death has in no way diminished their charming qualities. Never afraid to innovate, they replaced her vocals with a horn section which was prominent throughout the gig.
Led forward by Tim Gane, the band had everyone rocking on an extended version of Lo Boob Oscillator, just one of the successful louder tunes on the night. Much rockier than you would expect from their albums, there were even shades of Hawkwind as they descended into a psychedelic orgy during Stomach Worm.
Other highlights included Double Rocker, Come Play The Milky Night and L'Enfer Des Formes in a varied set, not too indulgent on new album Margerine Eclipse, which at the same time often sounded too similar. At the end of the night though, what would be the answer to that burning question - did the packed crowd approve? The answer was a very resounding 'oui'.
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