Rock en Seine 2008, at the expansive Parc de St. Cloud, will be remembered not for what it brought to the stage, but rather, failed to bring to centre stage – or who, more appropriately. Last minute replacement headliner Mike Skinner’s (The Streets) opening words to the enthusiastic, albeit disappointed crowd, “As you can see I AM NOT Amy Winehouse” summed it up very succinctly. Illness was apparently the reason for the tabloid-grabbing diva’s failure to appear in her designated slot. While this a little seems vague, the sheer disenchantment of the festival-goers was painfully obvious as discarded signs and banners lined the plastic garbage bags. The festival organisers will be pursuing legal action and may offer some sort of compensation to ticket holders but that doesn’t change the fact that this was not the way the festival, or any festival for that matter, was supposed to end.
Let it be said that at least one happy chap could be found, as he was catapulted from the smallest Scène de l’Industrie to top spot on the main stage. Skinner, the off-beat rapper from London, uncharacteristically humbly thanked the audience for staying to listen to him before relentlessly animating 20 000 people to wave hands and jump along with him. Even those sitting comfortably got up to join in the energetic display. It was not how anyone expected the night to finish but those who stayed did their darnedest to get into a party mood, some even managed to turn their frowns upside down.
After Jay-Z’s highly acclaimed, if controversial, top slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, maybe ‘unconventional’ artists are as much of a draw as big names like Bjork, Arcade Fire, Radiohead or Morrissey (all former Rock en Seine performers). The 2008 edition frequently erred from the ‘rock’ aspect of Rock en Seine to include a wide range of artists and genres. And why not?
The French electro-pop duo Justice was another group who profited from the re-arranged Friday night schedule, delayed by 45 minutes, as they played to literally to the entire crowd. Their particular brand of synthesized beats with pop and rock infused elements resonated all the way to the four corners of the park. An out-door dance party like no other and an unexpectedly brilliant way to pay tribute to their hometown. A see-you-later that neither Xavier de Rosnay nor his partner in crime Gaspard Auge could have imagined; they will now be taking a two-year break from live performances to work on other projects and head back into the studio.
It would be an injustice to talk electro music and not mention the salient efforts of Hot Chip to represent in that domain. Alexis Taylor sported a bright yellow raincoat, a sort of beacon, drawing spectators and fans of interesting minimalist compositions that you can dance to. Their latest single ‘One Pure Thought’ is a unique combination of reggae beats, thoughtful lyrics and a longing for evolution. One collective thought: pretty freaking amazing.
Unfortunately for those hoping to be transported back to the time of Motown, catchy rhythms and incomparable voices that had their parade doubly rained on, despite dropless skies. Winehouse’s no-show now covered, the skinny self-admittedly nerdy crooner with a voice of Phil Spector’s dreams, Jamie Lidell should have fit into this category. After far too long bewildering the crowd with improvised sampling and drums that was incomprehensibly experimental, the lad from London may have pulled it off in the end by with the few songs he SUNG from his albums. Lidell commented later that he wanted to try something special which unluckily just didn’t really work. Here’s a thought, meant with the utmost respect: maybe next time try in a small venue or secluded basement and not tens of thousands of expecting fans…
Other notable performances came from the delightfully adorable and remarkably talented Kate Nash and the blues infused explosion of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (redundant, yes, for emphasis on greatness, oh yes). Without a doubt, the most energetic, enthralling, and instantly captivating spectacle came from the same state as the Frech Prince of Bel-Air, Philadelphia. If there had been a roof to blow off, The Roots would have easily shattered it into a million pieces. With brass and guitars and drums, (oh my!), the duo and entourage were indefatigable. Their covers of ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ and ‘Bad to the Bone’ were at once hilarious and masterful. Venturing out onto the speakers in front of the stage, The Roots were there 100% and expected no less in return.
And of course, there was the odd smattering of rock music. From the edgy yet sultry Blood Red Shoes, to the guitars of Dirty Pretty Things, without forgetting the crazy, scaffolding-climbing antics of the Kaiser Chiefs rock was alive, kicking, and going for it. The singer of Louis XIV proclaimed, “A party’s not a party unless we’re here to start it.” They stayed true to their word, but definitely had a little help from their friends during three days of continuous gigs.
The Raconteurs, headed by Jack White and Brendan Benson, were a smash; rock and roll at its best with little else to say. An extended version of ‘Stead As She Goes’ that made me feel anything but steady.
With the three-day festival separating the first day by more than a week from the remaining two, it would be easy to skim over those inaugurating shows. That would be a shame. This, their only appearance in France this summer, Rage Against the Machine was back with a new album and in full force Wednesday night. Bringing their unequaled blend of rock, punk and hip-hop that speaks or maybe yells to the soul, anyone close to the front had reason to be fearful for their life (but seemingly prepared to sacrifice it).
Talking headliners and rock, the perfect segway into Thursday night’s headliners and possibly the headliners of the festival, especially given the circumstances. Kudos have to be paid to REM who have demonstrated a staying-power in the fickle music business that is second to none. This could be due to their ability to release hit after hit, to produce their own brand of rock unto themselves, their unwavering honesty or the fact that when they come to play THEY COME TO PLAY. While singing classics like ‘Man on the Moon’, ‘Loosing My Religion’ and ‘Bad Day’ the always charismatic Michael Stipe strutted, gyrated, swayed, stomped and did everything else both imaginable and unimaginable. One would hope that he does stretches before such a vigorous display. Twice, Stipe was down standing on the barriers between the stage and the hysterical fans. It is hard to imagine Bono or Thom Yorke that close to the audience and continuing to perform while being covered with hundreds of adoring hands. Even if you may not be the biggest REM fan in the world, you have to respect their initiative and down-to-earthness and concede that that just might make them the coolest guys in rock ‘n’ roll.
As this year’s festival comes to a close it is difficult to think back without a pang of disappointment. As the leader of the heavy metal group Apocalyptica declared in his thick German accent “We have to be true to our nature,” he was talking about the organisers’ request for the group to tone it down, but on general level the sentiment seems aptly appropriate. Feeling disappointed, upset or annoyed is pretty natural when all is said and done. But anyone who knows about loss or regret knows that the negative cedes to the positive and that time heals all wounds. The memory will be less of Amy who? but rather all of the stellar groups that did show up and all of those unforgettable moments that ACTUALLY did happen. And if not, there is always next year.
Jen Carswell