Thursday, 29 September 2005
Jamiroquai Brings It On
Besides getting engaged, earning French permanent residency, and planning for my future, I've been doing some more "normal" stuff - for instance, going to concerts.
Jamiroquai in concert at the Palais des Omnisports de Bercy
Last Friday, Heather and I went to see Jamiroquai at the Palais des Omnisports de Bercy. Yes, "last Friday" - this is a timely entry, for a change!
I think we each only own one of his albums, and it might even be the same one. But ever since my friend and then-roommate Mark introduced me to the music, I've grooved on Jamiroquai. No? That didn't work? Yeah, I can't pull off being cool or hip. But you can deal with it.
Jay Kay is a little ball of energy; I don't think he stopped jumping around for more than a few seconds at any time. It's amazing to me how someone can pull off a two-hour set like that, and not miss a beat. Yeah, don't talk to me about playback - maybe the band uses it, but I doubt it after seeing several improvs and spontaneous jams.
bathing in the light from the stage
The stage featured some incredibly cool lightwork. You can't make out the details in my crappy phone photos, but there was some sort of active screen stretching the full width and height of the stage. It was lit relatively conservatively for the first few songs, but at one point it exploded into a swirling starscape. From then on, it held my attention - maybe even a little too much.
I also enviously watched a nearby guy while he took some great digital snapshots with very good fidelity. I hope to have something capable of doing the same very soon.
Heather really enjoyed the show too. Jay Kay is a pretty small guy, judging from his height compared to other people surrounding him. But his energy is larger than life - and infectious.
the crowd goes home (packed Bercy arena was amazingly close to empty some 15 minutes after lights-up)
Bercy arena was packed. Consider that its capacity is 16,000, including seats and standing room. That's a whole lotta bodies - and every one of them was moving at least a bit. Even the "old couple" in their 40's one row up from us (who, incidentally, really needed to get a room) was dancing nonstop.
Good show, good vibe, great music - a golden combination. Catch Jamiroquai if they swing though your town.