One night of the French Festival Les Inrocks was always going to out-hype the rest and this, mes amis, was it. The somewhat tattered venue of La Cigale in Paris welcomed a mouth-watering blend of bright new hopes - Simian, The Von Bondies, the hipper-than-thou White Stripes - alongside the ever-evolving class of Pulp.
Bang on at a ludicrously early 6.30pm were Simian who, showcasing much of the elegant but unpredictable debut album, 'Chemistry Is What We Are', seemed to go down well with those who actually made it on time. With their fondness for vocal harmonies, the band were vaguely reminiscent of the Super Furry Animals, although the challenging Welsh wizards have never gone as far as a drummer with a flute.
Next up, The Von Bondies, who by the look of the dancing man in red, stage right, have a fan in one Mr. Jack White (of Stripes fame). Detroit natives with a raucous hybrid rock/blues sound not dissimilar to the White Stripes, The Von Bondies are making the right sounds at the right time. A shaggy-haired singer, two nonchalant female guitarists and a bucket load of cool was also the perfect precursor for what was to follow.
Initially, the White Stripes actually looked somewhat lost on a stage that had earlier been filled by four-piece bands. A man with a guitar and a girl with some drums and that's it, but boy did they look fetching in their outfits. Equally, what Jack and Meg White may lack in physical presence, they more than make-up for in style and volume.
Most of the set was performed with little variation from the recorded tracks, though with safe-heavy visceral drama and verve. Songs like 'Fell In Love With A Girl' were notable by their absence but the crowd lapped up the vibe, particularly darker tracks like 'The Union Forever' and the arguably disturbed 'I Think I Smell A Rat'. By the time current single, 'Hotel Yorba' was unleashed, Paris was black and white and red all over.
But still there was more, in the shape of Pulp, whose appearance on the stage caused a surge of excitement from an army of French teenage girls. Indeed, Jarvis Cocker cut a fine figure of a man in his cord slacks/bare feet combo, still managing to ooze stage presence from every pore.
In stark contrast to the somewhat depressive era of 'This Is Hardcore', Pulp 2001 are a different band. New album 'We Love Life' has produced a kind of detox effect and they look and sound like a band refreshed and buoyant.
'Weeds' was perhaps not the most compelling start to the show but with its accompanying film of said plant life, set the tone nicely. Meanwhile, 'Minnie Timperley' is simply a shamelessly beautiful love song, whilst 'Sunrise', with its all-encompassing assault on the senses, was an unquestionable highlight.
Jarvis, almost Messiah like on top of the speakers, didn't say too much, sticking only to his unique take on the French language. Still, "J'ai remove mon jumper" seemed to get the message across.
A few older tracks, including 'Live Bed Show' and 'Underwear' were thrown in for good measure, but tonight was all about Pulp showcasing a fuller, more mature sound and there was no room for the obvious Britpop classics of 'Common People' or 'Disco 2000'. No matter. Tonight was all about the future, and Pulp, much like their hat-trick of thoroughly eclectic and inspired accomplices, are gazing at very bright horizons, whatever country you're in.
