This year French rockers Phoenix returned with their sugar-coated new album Ti Amo, which was released via Glassnote Records.
Their lone New York date came when they headlined Governors Ball over the summer and it doesn’t seem like they will be back here until possibly next year for a proper headlining date of their own. But I couldn’t pass up a chance to see them just a few hours away at College Street Music Hall, which was a pretty intimate chance to see Thomas Mars and company do their thing.
Opening the set was Lo Moon who dazzled us with a warm set of mysterious electronic rock that was seductive and sexy. These guys are being pegged as one of the next big things and after finally getting to see them live, I am totally on board with that.
While I found Ti Amo to be a bit too colorful in the electro pop department, the album has slowly won me over a bit since I first heard it. This may have been after hearing some of the songs live presented them in a new light and allowed me to enjoy the songs for what they are. But even though I am not the biggest fan of the album, this didn’t stall me from catching Phoenix play at College Street, especially since they’ll probably headline either Barclays Center or MSG when they come back to New York next year.
Their refective stage set up was worth the effort alone, as it creates a dazzlying effect that is surely one of the best stage productions going at the moment. Not to mention that the band still play everything you’d want to hear from a Phoenix set: recent favorites like “”Lisztomania,” “Trying To Be Cool,” “1901,” as well as older cuts like “Consolation Prizes” and “If I Ever Feel Better” and “Funky Squaredance” (which are mashed together to form a super-song of sorts).
I will never tire of seeing Mars climb into the crowd and see him work a crowd to the point where he can stop and stand over sections of the audience with ease. The band always put on an incredible show and this was no different.
Find photos of both Lo Moon and Phoenix posted below, along with Phoenix’s setlist.
Lo Moon:
Phoenix:
Phoenix Setlist:
1. J-Boy
2. Lasso
3. Entertainment
4. Lisztomania
5. Trying to Be Cool / Drakkar Noir
6. Long Distance Call
7. Lovelife
8. Consolation Prizes
9. Girlfriend
10. Sunskrupt!
11. Ti Amo
12. Tuttifrutti
13. Armistice
14. If I Ever Feel Better / Funky Squaredance
15. Rome
Encore:
16. Goodbye Soleil
17. Telefono
18. Fior di Latte
19. 1901
20. Ti Amo Di Piu
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