Transmusicales - Day Two

Thursday, 4th December begins with Clash heading to the press tent in the town centre for up to date info on the first big day of the festival. We walk by the UK's We Have Band serenading a French radio journalist with their rendition of Frère Jacques.

It's then off to an afternoon show at Le Cité with French born, UK based John & Jehn. This couple are moody, stylish art rockers delivering a sound part film noir 50s / part 90s rock played to great effect. Clash manages to have a chat with them about how important this festival is to them:
 
UK's Esser is up next at Le Cité. Their sound is almost brit pop revival with loads of extra drum beats. Greaser looking, quiffed and tattoo, singer Ben Esser (former drummer in indie darlings, Ladyfuzz), and his band mix beats, prog rock, euro pop and brit pop which is best highlighted on the quite epic, "Stop Dancing". It's impossible to heed their words as the dancing most certainly can't be stopped.
 
We Have Band - singer "This is the first time we've played in France and we're very excited". This is the darker, moodier side of the 80s revival sound (think New Order or Depeche Mode) and they do it exceptionally well. The reception is so overwhelming at the end of their set, they're forced to come back for an unplanned encore. They look genuinely shocked while they desperately try to decide what their going to play next. Definitely a band to watch in 2009.
 
Kentucky rockers, Cage The Elephant have modernized cock rock to acceptable levels. They certainly have the attitude to carry off their songs in an early Rolling Stones style. Singer Matt Shultz could be the son of Iggy Pop, such is posturing stage presence. New song "Doctor Doctor Doctor, Help Me Help Me Help Me" is executed with such amazing energy. Esser (all of them) are in the crowd to witness
 
Up next, looking cock rock but groovier are Iglu & Hartly. These west coast natives put their own new spin on things by adding hip hop and danceable new wave hooks for a set of laid back fun.
 
Philadelphia based The Death Set play classic 2-minute punk classics in the style of Black Flag meets The Ramones, while in between each song they splice in classic 80s tracks like Prince, INXS and Salt n Pepa. It sounds wrong but it really works. Australian singer, Johnny has all the attitude you expect from a proper punk as well. When Clash asked him if they had plans to return to the UK, we get eyes rolling back in his head, "We've been to the UK five times this year, so no probably not, no." Shame. They're definitely work a look.
 
Unlike their US peers, the Brighton based youngsters, Maths Class are the new polite face of punk rock. They're fast and furious like their US peers. Have a great connect with the audience like their US peers. Yet after every song they genuinely seem surprised and politely thank the crowd for their support. The song of the set is 'Nerves' from their recent EP Now This Will Take Two Hands. With their mix of guitars and synth their profile is definitely on the up.

After their extremely tight set, Maths Class proceed to invite everyone to come drinking with them afterwards. A lunchtime interview with them on Friday sees them in the same clothes from the night before. They did indeed go out drinking with a few fans after. When Clash asks them how they feel about being the polite face of punk rock, guitarist Andy Davies says, "We play punk rock because we like it and its fun to play. We're glad people want to listen to us, but there's not much attitude involved. We're not preaching anarchy; we just want to have a good time." They could be onto something. Despite being up all night and half the next day, they're on fine form…and still incredibly polite.
 
With London based Blamma! Blamma! we're hoping for more modern electro flair but get average techno. The 2am crowd love it but as this is nothing extraordinary we move on in search of something
 
Manchester's autoKratz is what we find and keeps us dancing. They rock the turntables with heavy beats and live vocals from singer David. Their bizarre visuals with themes of fertility increase the aura and elude to much deeper issues behind the beats. We try to ignore those so we don't have nightmares later.

View accompanying day two Gallery

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