Gigs in Paris This Week

Guest article by Mark E. Thompson of Gigs in Paris

This is the week the Parisian gig-curtain rises.

Standing centre stage ready to embrace us from the off is some lo-fi surf-rock courtesy of Denverite husband-and-wife duo ‘Tennis’. The pair released their first EP last summer to rave reviews, and their sunshine sound will offer a welcome distraction from the Winter’s bitter breeze. (For fans of Surfer Blood, Girls and Best Coast).

Local favourites Revolver are next in line, and the classically trained trio have already filled Theatre des Bouffes du Nord for both their midweek shows, so it may be worth hanging around the front doors trying to catch the right man’s eye.

Then there’s the decision.  As, like in all good bus-themed metaphors, the gigs have all come at once...Friday to be exact. Bella Union start up Lone Wolf has probably drawn the short straw as he attempts to rustle and tussle with the big boys, but the Yorkshireman is worth the trip up to La Fleche D’or if you dance card is still free.

However, I would be surprised if you hadn’t tried, with all your might, to squeeze through the ventilation shafts at Grande Halle Charlie Parker (Godspeed You! Black Emperor!), Theatre des Bouffes du Nord (Joanna Newsom), or if you’re looking for a high tempo launch to your weekend Zenith (Chemical Brothers).

Luckily, Joanna has been kind enough to put on a second date for Saturday, helping to avoid a Green Man 2009 scenario when Bon Iver and Andrew Bird played simultaneously... yikes! Still, it’s good to know that the 2011 show is about to start with a bang and I for one will be advising it to break a leg.

Mark E. Thompson is a freelance journalist and former music writer for the BBC, The Sun, and CNN Online. Now living and working in Paris, he decided to cover the city's indie/alternative music scene in his new blog called Gigs in Paris. Check out his site for detailed concert calendars month by month, and interesting articles. For all of you regular Secrets of Paris readers, don't be alarmed by the extra consonants; he writes in UK English.