Wednesday 30 April 2014

September means Nouvelle Vague


This was the title of an article in a newspaper. And that was because they usually visits Greece every other September. I have now seen them 4 times: In 2007, in 2009 in 2011 and in 2013. That's every two years. Mind you, only 2011 and 2013 were in September. 2007 was in December and 2009 it was in November. And only 2011 and 2013 were in an oprn air venue. I read an aeicle about them on a Sunday paper supplement and I was intrigued. You see, Nouvelle Vague (which means "new wave" in French) cover new wave songs from the 70's and 80's in bossa nova style (which means "new wave" in PORTuguese). Here are a few examples: "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie, "God Save The Queen" by The Sex Pistols, "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode, "Don't Go" by Yazoo, "Friday Night Saturday Morning" by The Specials, "Guns Of Brixton" by The Clash, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division, "Blue Monday" by New Order, "Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This" by The Eurythmics among others. They released 2 albums in that style. On the 3rd they collaborated with the original artists whose songs they covered. And on the 4th they covered French pop songs from that same era. And they say they choose their singers among people who have never hears the original versions.





I liked what I saw that first night at Gagarin Music Space in 2007 so I went to see them again, 2 years later at the same venue.























With an extra singer this time and an even better performance.


Once again I saw them in Athens at Technopolis, an open air venue this time.

















Apparently they have fans from all age groups.

On the 2009 and 2011 concerts they were supported by Greek electro artist Olga Kouklaki who is well-known in France.











One of the Nouvelle Vague singers actually sang on her set in 2011 and she returned the favour by getting up on stage το sing Blue Monday with them.






And so, they were back, on the same venue in September 2013, this time supported by Opera Chaotique.




And, even though she was not supporting them this time, Olga Kouklaki did come up on stage and sang one of her songs with them