The last time Stereolab played the Concorde2 travel issues meant they were just arriving at the venue as the support band came on. There are no such issues tonight, and they look relaxed as they take to the stage.
“Hello everybody. Let’s begin,” says Laetitia in deadpan style.
They open with ‘Supah Jaianto’ from the 2010’s ‘Not Music’ quickly followed by the choral ‘Low Fi’, from their third EP, which also features on the newly released ‘Pulse Of The Early Brain’ compilation.
As ‘Eye Of The Volcano’ kicks in from ‘Fab Four Suture’ we’re starting to worry. A few notes and chords have hinted at some of their big hitters, but not one of these songs is likely to trouble their most played list on that unmentionable streaming service. Anxiety kicks in: no one wants a gig without their favourite songs. The urge to loudly scream “Ping Pong!” builds.
But… but… those krautrock Beach Boys harmonies in ‘U.H.F. – MFP’ are just beautiful.
As Laetitia sings “Neither God nor master, see the importance of the world without. Without importance see the importance,” the subconscious brain begins to relax.
The truth is, this band have so much good material you don’t need the big hitters. The lack of ‘obvious’ songs actually brings home how amazing they are. This is geek music for geeks, with political theory in the lyrics and some of the finest organ sounds ever committed to vinyl.
Without importance see the importance. Everyone in this sold-out crowd is becoming hypnotised.
“We love you!” screams a woman. “We love you too,” replies Laetitia and she makes a little heart shape with her hands.
The simple stage set of a glittery curtain that glows red behind them, as Brighton resident Joseph Watson whips up a storm on the Yamaha Reface and Prophet keyboards, is almost like the red room in Twin Peaks, and SOURCE expects Kyle MacLachlan to appear on stage talking backwards.
Laetitia brings things to a close, with a reassuring “do you see my ironic smile” announcing ‘Super Electric’ which provides a classic motorik Stereolab chug.
The encore starts gently with ‘Allures’. Then, as if to hammer home the point, the familiar refrain of ‘French Disko’ begins, but strangely it is as if the ghost of John Peel has put the band on 45rpm instead of 33rpm and the song seems to end before it began at breakneck speed. Why let the dirty gratification of a hit sully this pure experience?
The final encore ‘Simple Headphone Mind’ is an instrumental and Tim Gane makes his presence felt. This is not guitar-god show-off music, but he shreds and slays on this tune; leaving us open jawed as his strumming hand blurs out of focus, and he proves his status as an unassuming closet axe god.
“We would like to come back. Maybe a try different venue,” says Laetitia. “Yes please,” says SOURCE.
Concorde2, Thursday 24th November 2022
Words by Nick McAllister
Photos by Jason Warner
