L'Impératrice presented itself to the Montreux Jazz Festival audience yesterday, July 4. Faithful to its disco inspirations, refreshed by the modernity of its instruments, the band never ceased to bring a gentle madness to its audience, who, by the end of the three-quarters of an hour concert, had no desire to stop their "I'm so happy! Matahari to dance.
Thirty minutes before the six artists of the group L'Impératrice took to the stage, the most impatient of their fans were already waiting. Suddenly, Charles de Boissegui, Hagni Gwon, Flore Benguigui, David Gaugué, Tom Daveau and Achille Trocellier introduced themselves to the audience, and the first notes of their enchanting, supple disco music immediately rang out. A languorous «Bonsoir» from the singer, Flore, overhangs the nascent rhythms and opens the concert.
L'Impératrice is playing Montreux for the first time, and her majesty is determined to make her mark. After the first three songs, the audience is still reluctant to let go. It's under the breeze brought by Vanilla Strawberry and its enchanting melody, inviting you to daydream and stray to the edge of the road, where you can finally stretch your steps. The band's rhythms have proven their ability to infiltrate the quietest dinner parties as well as the wildest soirées, and their melodies dare to impose their carefree spirit with full force.
Legs, hands and hips are now wide awake, lightened by the crescendo acclimatization of initially hesitant feet. The whole assembly waltzes and claps their hands, raised to the Jazz LAB ceiling., with an intimate ambience. At the slightest lull, Tom Daveau - the frenzied drummer - clashes his magic drumsticks and revives the room, perhaps obsessed by the sensual passion exuded by Flore in her satin dress.
On stage, the balance between independence and shared moments endows the music with all its personality. For her first time at Montreux Jazz, L'Impératrice remains true to the fluid, colorful universe she's been building since 2014 with her debut EP, Pacific Sonata, and innovates by also presenting some of the tracks from his very first album released in April 2018, Matahari.
Write to the author: helene.lavoyer@leregardlibre.com
Photo credit: © 2018 FFJM - Lionel Flusin
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