Charlotte Gainsbourg Live at the El Rey Theater, Los Angeles

Fans enjoyed a moody, dark wave meets synth-pop performance from French actress and musician, Charlotte Gainsbourg at the El Rey theater. Rectangular strobe lights and horizontal white stage lights were about all that lit the theater, creating a dark, ethereal quality to the setting.

Despite being known as the daughter of Serge Gainsbourg, Charlotte Gainsbourg has and continues to make a name for herself, having guest performed with Badly Drawn Boys and contributed vocals for iconic artists like Madonna. One thing was obvious – her fans simply adore her as they cheered loudly when she took the stage.

Band members entered one at a time onto the backlit stage and Gainsbourg sat down at the keys. The vertical modular synth was a nice touch and a much-welcome layer of sound. The strobe light frames stood at the front and back of the stage, the black and white lighting flashing along to the beat.

The sounds were a mixture of french-pop and heavier, dance-worthy electronica, as found in “Paradisco.” Softer songs like “I’m A Lie” and “Kate” had the crowd awe-struck as they listened to the beautifully crafted melodies. Gainsbourg wasn’t theatric and didn’t address the crowd much, aside from a crouch here and there and an occasional “thank you” after a song.

When the beat kicked in for “Deadly Valentine,” the crowd cheered and danced on the floor. Flashing lights strobed onto the chandeliers in the El Rey, adding a definite “witching hour” vibe to the setting.

Another highlight was the softly sung “Rest,” with chiming keys and child-like vocals. They performed a three-song encore including a cover of Kanye West’s “Runaway.”

L.A. based outfit Steady Holiday opened the evening with a dreamy indie-pop set, chock full of shimmers psych sounds and violin.

Setlist:

1. Lying With You
2. Ring‐a‐Ring o’ Roses
3. I’m a Lie
4. Heaven Can Wait
5. Sylvia Says
6. Paradisco
7. Bombs Away
8. Deadly Valentine
9. Kate
10. Charlotte for Ever
11. Rest
12. Les crocodiles
13. The Songs That We Sing
14. Such a Remarkable Day
15. Les Oxalis

1. Lost Lenore
2. Runaway
   (Kanye West cover)
3. Lemon Incest