Floating on AIR at VFestival Sydney
- Apr 16, 2008
One of the great things about V Festivals that set them apart from other music festivals is the careful selection and scheduling of artists. It's not a mish-mash lucky dip of bands, and there's a good balance between established artists and artists about to break. And you're less likely to face the heartbreaking choice of seeing one awesome band over another.
But I was torn... do I see French electro duo AIR or London rockers The Rakes? However, thanks to a timetable glitch, I no longer had to try to be in two places at once â“ which would have not only been painful, but pretty horrid for others to witness. So anyway, I happened to catch AIR and I'm so very glad I did.
Before I go any further, I need to let you know that this blog doesn't focus on songs themselves. AIR create such a harmonious and beautiful atmosphere that it would be a shame just to focus on what tracks they played... it's all about the mood. In my humble opinion anyway.
AIR is an acronym for Amour, Imagination, Rêve - meaning Love, Imagination, Dream. A more perfect description of their music would be impossible to find. AIR transport me to a lazy Sunday afternoon, lying in the sun, coming down from a massive weekend. I'm totally relaxed...pretty good considering it was Saturday afternoon, I'm wide awake, and had just seen The Rakes.
No other artist has this sound, I don't believe. AIR are utterly unique, groundbreaking. They remind me a little of Pink Floyd, except way more chilled-out. With the voice of a boy angel but the face of a rogue, Nicolas Godin almost has a hypnotic power over the crowd. Keyboard magic comes from underneath Jean-Benoît Dunckel's fingertips.
People sway, hold each other, listen intently, eyes closed. AIR are a bit too chilled for some punters so they take their big eyes over to the Virgin Mobile Venue for electro house goodness.
Towards the end of AIR's set, I tear myself away to grab a beer before heading over to see Queens of the Stone Age. The organisation of the V Festival is such that you don't have to miss whole acts just to get a beverage â“ in, out, drink, you're done! Nice...
Back to AIR...in a word: beautiful.
And if you want to compare music to sex (and who doesn't), then AIR are the post-shag entanglement in bed. Followed by a cigarette.
For more AIR photos like this one check out The Untrained Eye's Flickr photostream...
