thanks to Kevin Smith for the following:
I saw Air on October 14, 1998 at Bimbo’s in San Francisco. Forgive me if I fail to give specifics on songs and the setlist (it was before I had the album) but I do have many other interesting recollections. The band took the stage one by one while various members played the melody from Close Encounters of the Third Kind on vintage synths. Everyone wore solid white (some in jumpsuits!) while the giant eyes from the “Kelly Watch the Stars” single loomed behind them. The songs were fairly faithful to the album versions (as I found out later) except for a particularly funky version of “Sexy Boy” in which their lanky bassist proceeded to do some kind of human beatbox rap and for a (frightening) moment looked like he was about to attempt breakdancing. I also remember Nicolas Godin playing his Flying-V guitar for some rather punk rock song (don’t ask me which one). Unfortunately the songs with Beth Hirsch (“All I Need” and “You Make It Easy”) were left out completely. Towards the end of the set (if I remember correctly) Jean-Benoît Dunkel pulled out a camera so he could take a picture of the audience to show to everyone back home. My favorite moment of the night, however, had to be, after April March’s opening set, noticing that Nicolas Godin happened to be milling about in the audience beside me. A somewhat inebriated and not very clever fan approached him and made a comment to the effect of “Your album, it’s like a parody of the 70’s right?” To which Nicolas replied in a heavy French accent (again I’m paraphrasing) “Our music is very spiritual.” Our not so subtle friend though continued. “Yeah, but it’s like a joke right?” Nicolas provided the best response possible I think in the situation. He gave the guy a rather uneasy smile, said “Goodbye” and walked away.
rolling stone australia, issue 556 (yearbook) 1998
As if the French weren't already insufferable enough. This year they not only won the World Cup but suddenly became innovators of avant-pop. The land of crooners and cover artists produced the froggy lounge-atronica of DIMITRI FROM PARIS and the synth noodlings of AIR. At least we THINK these groups came from France. 'What would I say to an alien?' Air's NICOLAS GODIN asked. 'Air are your brothers, man.'
the face (england) vol. 3 no. 16, may 1998
The Clinical Brothers
Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin are the well-scrubbed
surburban spaceboys behind the most acclaimed - and genre-defying - album of the year.
We know they got cosmic-soul, but where's it at? Will their guide to their Paris show us the
way? Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in Air
Non, il n'est pas la.' This is what you might call a typical Air moment.
We said: take us by the hand and lead us through the streets of Paris. They said: d'accord.
Now, an hour after arriving in Paris, we're 15 kilometres away in Versailles.
In a forest. Looking for a tree.
But not just any tree, mind. 'It is a special tree,' insists Jean-Benoit Dunckel, fussing over the state of his Adidas Superstars.
'We can climb inside it. It will make a beautiful photo.'
Nicolas Godin returns from the far horizon, evidently treeless. 'I think it is not so far,' he explains, 'because we are very lazy guys.'
Finally, it is time to accept the truth.
'Someone has taken away our tree.'
to be continued (long article, sore hand)
'i've got an idea for the 'sexy boy' live - we will strip! like 'the full monty!' - J-B
