I'd never been to the Masonic Center on Nob Hill, but it was a beautiful venue.



To be honest, I didn't expect much from the French duo, and for that reason I enjoyed the whole set. The best moments were when they performed tracks from Moon Safari, e.g. Kelly Watch the Stars, Talisman and La Femme D'Argent, but I also really enjoyed a few other tracks which I didn't recognize, along with score from Lost in Translation they played at the beginning of the encore.



Their lighting was fairly simplistic--the most ellaborate of it all was a wall of "stars" which was hung behind the duo and the support band. I wasn't hugely impressed by it, but there were a few moments when the slow, sweeping spots managed to truly capture the way Air's music changed the atmosphere in the amphitheater. I was most enamored with the erratic, staccato lighting that accompanied some of the more intense moments of their set--the guitarist simply letting himself go and everyone else following along, electric screams of chord repetition, peaking beautifully as the stars behind them sparkled into the audience. I never thought Air could be so intense.



The best part of the set was the last song they played in their set, La Femme D'Argent. This is my favorite Air song, and I was anxiously waiting for them to play it. I couldn't have asked more from their performance at that moment, and it far exceeded my expectations. If I had to make one critique of the set, though I do have a few, it would be that it didn't feel like there were too many moments where they just... took off with the music. I think they're awesome musicians, and I guess maybe I expected something a little more improvisational and jazzy from them in their performances of their studio music. This wasn't the case for most of their set, but in the moments where they did manage to push the boundaries of routine, they reached the stratosphere. And during that last song, those last few moments of screeching synths combined with chaotic drumming, the sexy bass rhythms flying along beside them, I was taken somewhere else... somewhere free.

Good review ! I want to see them so bad... But I think their 2 dates in Paris are sold out :(

Nice review, Pooter!!



I would so love to see Air but I never had the chance. They did a show at the Hollywood Bowl and it was a free show, but alas it was on a Sunday - so I missed out. I was so sad. I just love Air, I love how their music instantly becomes a soundtrack whenever I listen to it, and how in turn it changes the atmosphere. I think the Virgin Suicides soundtrack and Talkie Walkie are my favorites from Air, and 2 albums that have kept my interest steadily. I would be in heaven if I heard Air play stuff from Virgin Suicides.



I have heard nothing but good things about their live set although I have heard it criticized as being a bit sedate then again the music isnt about banging your head and having a loud stage presence.



I am glad you had a good time at the show, and thanks for the review!

whirlygirl Escribi�:

Nice review, Pooter!!



I would so love to see Air but I never had the chance. They did a show at the Hollywood Bowl and it was a free show, but alas it was on a Sunday - so I missed out. I was so sad. I just love Air, I love how their music instantly becomes a soundtrack whenever I listen to it, and how in turn it changes the atmosphere. I think the Virgin Suicides soundtrack and Talkie Walkie are my favorites from Air, and 2 albums that have kept my interest steadily. I would be in heaven if I heard Air play stuff from Virgin Suicides.



I have heard nothing but good things about their live set although I have heard it criticized as being a bit sedate then again the music isnt about banging your head and having a loud stage presence.



I am glad you had a good time at the show, and thanks for the review!

That was actually one of my critiques--during a lot of their songs they weren't really wonderful performers. It's a bit tricky with them, because they have a lot of synthesizers doing a lot of different things sometimes, so it might be a difficult translation from studio to stage. On the other hand, sometimes there wasn't a lot of presence from them...



The expected and the unexpected led to both disappointment and amazement.

Interesting review MadPooter, yeah La Femme d'Argent was awesome for me back in March. The build-up towards the end was awesome! What did you reckon to the live version of Run?

You know, I hadn't yet listened to Talkie Walkie when I saw them--only Pocket Symphony and Moon Safari. Nothing else stands out in my mind other than when the entire auditorium seemed to be frozen in a beautiful, blissful aural state where even the pot smoke held its form. I'm sure I wouldn't mind seeing them again.