M for Montreal : M for Midnight

Bran Van 3000 + Misteur Valaire + Plaster 11/18/11 @ Club Soda

M for Montreal definitely scored high by lining-up two of my favorite electro-jam musical acts on the same night. When I first heard that Bran Van 3000 and Misteur Valaire were being showcased together, I just knew that I had to make it to to the show dead or alive. Then, what happens when the most anticipated show of the week gets sold out at the door, meaning that the media cannot be given access to the venue until further notice? Well, you sneak in. And that is exactly what we did, too bad for those who had to wait.

I you have known me from before or been following me this blog for a while now, you should have noticed my crazy obcessive love for Bran Van 3000. The band holds the most distinctive, inventive and merrily-creative sound, blending all different styles and influences to deliver these groovy, nonetheless trancendent melodies. Young collective Misteur Valaire has also caught the attention with their original formu formula, a balance of festive hymns and sophisticated arrangements who is starting to them international recognition around the globe

M for Midnight showcases, as you would know, were not invented  for the early early-risers. As the door opened at 11:59 sharp, the show only started about forty minutes later with opening act Plaster, featuring percusionist Jean-Philippe Goncalves, also of Beast of Afrodizz. Plaster’s atmospheric electro-jam session was certainly enough to entertained the crowd, who warmly responded to this first invitation to bounce. 

Misteur Valaire was then next to hip up the stage. The golden boys had dressed up with their usual uniform with white suits, colored ties and plastic sunglasses. The band is as entertaining to watch as they are fantastic to listen to; during a half-hour performance, they were able to strip, choreograph kitschy retro dance style moves and have their trumpet player bodysurf while playing his instrument. Bran Van’s frontmen, James Di Salvio and Liquid, also made a surprise appearance on a collaborative track «Ave Mucho» bringing the craze at its peak when we were all screaming and dancing in a jam-packed Club Soda.

Last, but not certainly not least, party veterans BV3 were on to continue the party just liked they had planned it. Just like MV, they offered us a condensed but quality performance where, James Di Salvio’s soundcrew did an amazing job, sounding better than ever. And there, seeing them now for the fifth time live, I can’t help but wonder where they get their energy from - in my case, I’ve never seen any live act where the performer's vitality was as contagious as Bran Van’s. 

In my view, electronic is never as enjoyable unless it is mixed with other jamming styles or traditional sounds. This edition of M for Midnight really got me served, as these performances had the energy of a rock show. And the best thing is that the kids were loving it, and so did I.