Phoenix, Swedes, Automatic and a Lesiure Centre...
| 11:17 UK time, Friday, 2 June 2006
Parisian pop band Phoenix should, of course, be bigger than they actually are. But who cares about 'big' when their songs have style and a certain special sharpness. I saw them for the third time on Wednesday night, and although the balcony blocked the view and sound, although I'd lost my tickets and got in using producer Louise's tickets, although I bought an XL sized t shirt from the merchandise stall and it still wouldn't fit, and although although, I still enjoyed it.
Earlier on Wednesday I saw an ace gig by Peter, Bjorn and John at the underground curtained bunker that is the Metro on Oxford St. Their ace single Young Folks is one of the best of the year so far, and their album Writers Block is pure joy.
Last night on the Beth and Huw show, we broadcast live from a leisure centre in Cowbridge. A bit outside of Cardiff, its the Automatic's hometown, and they played a great set. They're on a tour of Wales at the moment, and things are going well for the band.
We were broadcasting the show in a room with the bands family. On hearing the huge 'what's that coming over the hill is it a monster' chorus to their new single Monster, Iwan the drummers Grandmother told me 'its a phrase that gets stuck in your head, isn't it?' Couldn't have said it better myself :)
I seriously dig a bit of Phoenix. 'Too Young' rivals only Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition' for dance-ability. They actally remind of seventies' studio-wiz Todd Rundgren, which can only be a good thing. (Their albums can be a bit patchy, though, but, hey, so can Todd's!)