Photo: Wenn
Hype can be a dangerous thing - it can lead to expectations not being met. Since the release of debut LP 'Chaleur Humaine' this year, followed by lauded performances and festival appearances throughout the summer - and even being made the cover of TIME magazine - Christine and the Queens was not wanting for hype. But her Brixton show proved she not only lives up to the hype but transcends it entirely. Christine and the Queens is a truly exciting and groundbreaking live act.
The set up goes something like this: Christine - real name Héloïse Letissier - fronts a three piece electronic pop band by singing and dancing, often accompanied by a clutch of dancers (her Queens) in a theatrical performance that combines music, lights and shadows, photography, projection and dance. But, if when you think of a lead singer and backing dancers, you think of 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' - forget it. This is classy and arty but at the same time fun, honest and unique. The dancing is refined but not over rehearsed: it is fluid and transitional as opposed to the harsh, angular workout routines of many modern pop dance routines.
After the show's opener 'Starshipper' there was a long, rapturous applause from the Brixton crowd; not something new acts are normally granted after their opening number! It was an ovation that a legendary act might receive after a career-spanning three hour arena show. The audience was already in the palm of her hands.
Musically, there are references to French discopop, 80s electronica, stripped-back soul, and UK trip hop. The use of space in her songs is exquisite. There's been a glut of female singers singing against stark, empty productions, booming 808s and trappy hi hats of late, but as with every facet of her art, Christine's is just class.
During the show, every song saw its own unique staging, lighting and approach. No staring at a motionless band chugging away through every song here! There has been thought and care put into the aesthetic of each number. At one point there was a huge projected video showing Christine doing the same choreography as she was performing live on stage. Next, strip lights move above the still stage like undulating waves. For another song it was completely dark, save for one lone spotlight on Christine, as she made giant shadow shapes with her twisting dance moves on a white screen behind her.
The lighting, the dance moves and the clever staging is all very well - but as we've seen with huge pop artists - it don't mean a thing if it ain't got... heart. Luckily for us, Christine's got it in spades. Before one song, the diminutive singer ran around the Brixton Academy stage, arms out like an plane's wings - childlike - screaming: "Look at all this space we've got for this one!" Her wording belies a strenuous touring schedule but there's not an ounce of bitterness or weariness - she is playful, humorous and free.
Freedom is a key point this evening. At one point she said to the crowd: "This, tonight is a free zone. You are free to change identity if you want. I won't judge you. If you want to be a train, be a train! Who am I to tell you?". Youth, gender, sexuality, identity: for Christine these are "shapes" that society has forced on her all her life. As she's talking, her body is twisting, and thrusting to convey her contorted efforts to conform to society's boundaries. But as she writhes, you realise so much of her choreography is in fact inspired by this urge not to conform to others' agendas. "Then...I decided to stop caring", she shrugged, at which point she played mega hit 'Tilted', and hairs stood on end.
It's worth noting, however, all did not go smoothly during the show. During 'Tilted' something went wrong with the backing track and she lost her way, missing out an entire section of the song. Is this a Milli Vanilli moment? Will the awkwardness be unbearable?! Not a bit of it. Christine blurts out brashly over the music: "I think something's wrong with the track!", finishes the song, then performs the French rap section she'd missed, acapella, to only the crowd clapping the beat and chanting lyrics "I'm doing my face...with magic marker" - all because that was her favourite part of the song. A technical fault was consummately turned into a highlight of the night. Assured showmanship and endearing honesty to the end.
To be honest, I'm not sure what else you could want from an artist. The tunes are great, from the hit melodies of 'Tilted' and 'iT' to the more introspective darkness of other material such as 'Paradis Perdus'. The performance is theatrical, fun, thought-provoking and visually beautiful, the band and their sound are forward-thinking whilst also referential. And the star of the show exudes nothing but honesty, love, talent, humour and art - and she's got a cracking voice too. Long may she reign.
10/10
Setlist:
Starshipper
Half Ladies
iT
Science Fiction
Paradis Perdus
Here
No Harm
Tilted
Safe And Holy
Narcissus
Ugly
Good Life
Intranquillité
Saint Claude
Loving Cup
Sign Your Name (Terence Trent D'arby cover)
Nuit 17
