M83 - Club Nokia - 1/12/12

Timothy Norris

Anthony Gonzalez of M83 rocking out.

See also: M83's Anthony Gonzalez Makes Soundtracks, Without the Movie
M83 and Big Black Delta @ LA Live

M83
Club Nokia
1-12-12
Better than...listening to Hurry Up, We're Dreaming on the best stereo system turned up to eleven.

Last night Club Nokia was fit to burst for M83's sold out show. After being shuttled up an escalator, lovingly frisked by the stern security men, and sent through their metal detectors, most people needed a stiff drink. They squawked loudly around the bar, shaking their plumage like birds of paradise trying to impress a mate, trying to get the bartenders attention with varying degrees of success. Then armed with their cocktails, they stared at the black void of the stage while ominous organ music trickled out of the speakers.

Timothy Norris

Morgan Kibby of M83

At ten o'clock precisely M83 took the stage. The stark blue lights made it feel like an alien abduction, apt for a band named after the Messier 83 galaxy. But if they were creatures from outer space, all of them were dressed very subtly in t-shirts of black or white except for singer/keyboardist Morgan Kibby, who sparkled in a silver cocktail dress.

Despite confessing to being nervous in such a large venue, lead singer and musical architect Anthony Gonzalez looked incredibly relaxed as he began the set with the aptly named "Intro." (Honestly if you've got a song named Intro in your repertoire aren't you obligated to play it first?). Gonzalez had every right to be relaxed, because this crowd adored him.

After eleven years since their first record, M83 has broken through to the mainstream thanks to one killer single "Midnight City" and its use by one tiny little lingerie company called Victoria's Secret. It was easy to be jealous of those who were unfamiliar with M83 aside from that single, because they had no idea what was going to hit them. Watching their jaws drop as wave after wave of explosive joyous sound radiated from the stage was a real pleasure.