Jean Michel Jarre @ Birmingham NIA – 24th May 2009

I am about to write a review about a show where the lighting is as important as the tunes, and where none of the songs have any words. Wish me luck…

I’ll happily admit that this isn’t the usual kid of gig that I go to, but as a child I would listen to Jean Michel’s albums, and watch his fantastic outdoor shows on TV. When I found out that he was playing the not-so-enormous National Indoor Arena, I figured that it’d be rude not to go and relive my childhood, especially as I had the pleasure of bringing my dad, who was attending only his second ever gig – his first being The Rolling Stones at Birmingham Town Hall sometime in the 60’s.

If you’ve never heard of him, here’s some quick facts – he’s 60, he’s French, he plays synths, the light show is a very important part of his live show, and I think everyone knows at least one of his tunes, even if you don’t know it’s by him.

The crowd tonight is of the more mature variety, with a smattering of children accompanying their parents, and a small group of what appear to be Milwall fans sat just to my right – very strange.

There’s no support tonight, so we just have some ethereal ambient sounds playing over the PA until the arena goes dark, and a triangle of laser light appears on stage. Out of the light a hand emerges, and out walks Jean Michel playing the opening to “Industrial Revolution part 2” on a keytar, which makes the sat down crowd clap and cheer in delight. For those who don’t know, a keytar is a keyboard which is worn over the shoulder, just like a guitar. You may have seen one on Top Of The Pops in the 80’s. Also, this is just the first of a few unusual instruments that Jean Michel plays tonight.

On stage with Jean Michel tonight are three other musicians, two of whom mainly play synths, and one who mainly plays electric percussion. In the past, Jean Michel has played shows to tapes and recordings, but he really wanted to give the full live experience on this tour (his first ever world tour) to his fans.

He rattles through a greatest hits set, which is quite easy seeing that he’s been recording for nearly 40 years, and it was nice to see some of the crowd getting out of their seats for a boogie, before being told to sit down by security.

I’d heard rumours that the sound can be a bit poor in what is effectively an indoor athletics stadium, but I suppose if anyone could bring the best out, it would be Jean Michel and his magnificent crew. Easily one of the loudest gigs I’ve ever been to, but with an awesome crisp top end, and bass that shakes your clothing, it’s also one of the best sounding shows I’ve had the pleasure of attending.

The light show provided tonight is also something that I’ve never ever seen at any gig that I’ve attended, using the whole of the NIA as it’s canvas and ranging from spots, LED’s and a lit-up backdrop, to the amazing lasers dancing around the entire arena. At one point, the smoke from a smoke machine is passed through a slice of laser light, forming the scene of a sky with big fluffy clouds appearing and disappearing as the light intercepts the smoke. The crowd at this point are mostly staring at this amazing imagery instead of what’s happening on stage.

Instruments played by Jean Michel tonight include the accordion (I suppose it could be classed as a 19th century synth), theremin (eerie sounding electronic box of tricks invented in the early part of the 20th century) and the magnificent laser harp. The laser harp is Jean Michel’s signature instrument, and it’s played by breaking the laser light with his hand, which then plays a note. When you have 7 or 8 of these lasers in front of you, entire melodies can be played, just by breaking the laser beam.

Tonight, Jean Michel played for approximately 2h30m including two encores, finishing with his most famous track “Oxygène 4”. The crowd went home happy, I went home happy, and my dad was over the moon. See you again next year?

Setlist:
Industrial Revolution part 2 (1988)
Magnetic Fields 1 (1981)
Équinoxe 7 (1978)
Theremin intro
Oxygène 2 (1976)
Rendez-Vous 3 (1986)
Oxygène 12 (1997)
Souvenir Of China (1982)
Magnetic Fields 2 (1981)
Oxygène 5 (1976)
Variation III (2007)
Équinoxe 4 (1978)
Équinoxe 5 (1978)
Chronologie 6 (1993)
Chronologie 2 (1993)

Encore:
Calypso 3 (1990)
Rendez-Vous 2 (1986)
Industrial Revolution part 2 (reprise) (1988)

Encore 2:
Oxygène 4 (1976)

Review – Tony Hackett
Photos – Ian Dunn

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