It is rare in the musical world I move around in to find bands using theatrics during their shows. A new band called Marc Arnaud et Les Chacaux – which is the French word for Jackals – put on what I think was their first big performance last night at the cool bar/restaurant called 25ème Est, at the Place Stalingrad in Paris, and used a nice little touch of theatrics – but not too much.
An unusual band, it consisted of a couple of guitar players, drummer, horns and a violin. Marc handled the vocals…except for the sudden appearance in one of the songs of Flavie Fontaine, who is an actress and singer songwriter. She suddenly appeared and placed a chair in front of the stage to kick off Marc and take over the mic herself – they then sang a kind of duo, or exchange, between a couple…. Marc is also an actor, by the way. And Flavie’s songs tend towards theatrical too, in fact, and she was in her element here going up to the stage and playing a role that “apparently” no one was ready for.
It was a nice touch in an interesting evening of music with a great atmosphere – a complete change from my usual open mic experience. The 25ème Est was just brimming full of people, many who had come to hear the music and many other who had come to eat and drink and, hey, wasn’t it great there was music? The moved up toward the stage and listened.
All together an interesting night out. Now if only my concert tonight goes as well! If you’re in Paris, drop by the Disquaires tonight to hear me and my band, and Calvin McEnron and The Romantic Black Shirts: Les Disquaires: 6 rue des Taillandiers * 75011 Paris * M° Ledru Rollin ou Bastille