[Report] A look back at Alt-J's meticulous performance at the Nuits Secrètes

On July 27, 28 and 29, the annual festival of Aulnoye-Aymeries was striking with its programming. The headliners of the Secret Nights have succeeded one another through disparate styles: Shaka Ponk, Oreslan, Angèle, Lomepal, Trisomy 21 … Everyone's tastes were satiated! From then on, discreetly breathtaking, one group aroused our interest: Alt-J. With luck (but mostly a lot of patience), we managed to sneak among the festival-goers and reach the barrier that faces the stage. The spectacle could then stand before us. Result?

An infallible scenography

The trio was separated by illuminated bars . Arranged in parallel, they form musical compartments . Like three music boxes, the first offers a performance by keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton, the second vocals mixed with Joe Newman's guitar, and the third drums and samples by Thom Green (or Cameron Knight at some concerts). As this perfect symmetry is offered to us, the lights shoot behind the artists and add a divine universe to their music. 

Are these perfect shapes and staging the essence of the group? It is recalled that their group name, Alt-J, is illustrated by a triangle. This refers to the shortcut that gives the symbol Δ on a Macintosh with a QWERTY keyboard. When mathematics and music meet…

A passionate crowd

The band from Leeds has largely convinced its audience. Mixed with the voluptuous ataraxia reigning in the air, we took a moment to observe around us.A little glance to the right, and it is faces stretched towards the lights with eyes closed that we perceive. The glance to the left also testifies to a fascinating atmosphere where everyone is charmed. The bodies sway slowly and suddenly stop in the silences. Arms sometimes go up, pushing this delicate gesture to the tips of their fingers. So we hum on Nara, and we shout on Breezeblocks.

Melodies from elsewhere

"This is from Matilda… "A surprising voice, with a piercing timbre but so captivating. What is certain is that singer Joe Newman and his musicians know how to do it. In each of their compositions, an indie-folk-rock euphony is formed.Although trained in 2007, many have recently discovered them in the background of commercials like Fitzpleasure for Nokia Lumia 925, or even more recently during a short film for Meetic on Dissolve Me. What makes Alt-J's style decidedly different is their "prodigy" side. Indeed, their scenography is calculated, but so are their sound chords. Also, in the midst of frantic British couplets, the group agrees to add a French phrase. We can then hear " the photographer is dead " in Taro, or "She needs you, it comes from Matilda" in Matilda. It's up to you to listen! 

Details, decorations, a face, an outfit, a temperature, a look, waves, a drink, a moment, friends, a smile, a musical note, memories, a photograph, a sound, a voice, dances. Everything is essential during a performance, on the side of the artists as well as the public. And sometimes feelings may be mixed when interpreters take you into theirs bubble.