Modjo in concert: Tunes fail to get fans going
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Modjo; Jakarta Convention Center; Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002
If French duo Modjo were to be given an award or a label, it would be the-band-most-misidentified-as-DJs, or simply as the- lads-who-sing-Lady (Hear Me Tonight).
The latter is the title of a song from their self-titled debut album, their only album so far, which was released last year.
While the song has been a huge hit on dance floors all over the world, and made it into the charts in many countries including Billboard, the group remains (almost) anonymous.
"People are not really aware of us as a band. They think we're a group of DJs," guitarist Romain Tranchart admitted here recently before performing a concert.
"It's also very funny that people are surprised that we come from France. They think of France as fashion, period."
The fact that their musical talents are overshadowed by the resounding fame of a single song does not bother Destagnol and Tranchart, as they are "music lovers, not showbusiness lovers".
"These days, if we want to be successful, then just be a boyband, dress nice and look stupid. Popularity is not our main goal. So, many people said they love our music, that's great," Tranchart said.
The Modjo project appeared in 1998, when Tranchart met vocalist Yann Destagnol. Tranchart was a fan of the sound coming from the House music scene, influenced by the likes of fellow French band Daft Punk and also DJ Sneak.
Destagnol, meanwhile, is more eclectic in his tastes. He preferred the sound of pop and was inspired by more classic references such as the Beach Boys and David Bowie.
And so the collaboration resulted in a mix of fresh guitar samples with catchy rhythms and simplicity, if not repetition, in the lyrics.
On stage, Modjo is a full band, backed by Nicolas Bollier (bass), David Lewin (keyboard) and Gregory Abitbol (drums).
However, despite the major exposure of the electronic sound and the success of Lady, the guys refuse to be known merely as a band that plays dance music.
"We do make dance music sometimes, which is what people want to listen to. But we also have R&B and other kinds of music. We've got different styles," Destagnol said.
Still, it was Lady that catapulted them to popularity, and the reason most of the audience came to see their concert last week. And it was the disco beats of the song that attracted clubbers in this country to come, hoping that other numbers would be as dance-friendly.
A hope that was, unfortunately, dashed in Modjo's concert, which was aimed at livening up an event called Valentine Hype Party.
The spacious Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) was apparently too big for the party, as only some 500 people showed up at the 5,000-capacity venue.
Most of the audience were teenagers and young adults, infused with some Valentine's spirit and obviously ready to move their bodies.
That was until Destagnol, Tranchart and friends came up on stage, performing all of the tracks, a total of 11 songs, from their album.
Apparently, Modjo is more Jamiroquai than Fatboy Slim, more acid jazz than House music and more about laid-back tunes than upbeat disco sounds.
The concert started with Acknowledgement, an instrumental number with Destagnol on keyboards, chanting and humming throughout the song, which is kind of too slow for an opening track. It was followed by a number that was Jamiroquai-esque, where Destagnol played acoustic guitar.
"The next song is a special version for this special day. Selamat Hari Valentine untuk yang sedang jatuh cinta (Happy Valentine's Day for those who are in love)," Destagnol said, before playing the flute.
Next up was an acoustic version of Lady. The audience, who were primed to shake their bonbons, had to hold back yet again.
The atmosphere heated up a bit with the performance of another dance floor hit called Chillin' as well as No More Tears and Rollercoaster, two songs with the combination of stylish beats and rhythmic guitars.
"Cewek Indonesia cantik-cantik (Indonesian girls are pretty)," said Destagnol, who danced all over the stage, occasionally hit the drums, dropped the cymbal and alternately played keyboards and guitar.
It was not until the last song that the audience got into their dance groove as they screamed for more Lady.
"You're a delightful audience," Destagnol said.
And so the famous song, which is actually a sample of Chic's Soup for One, was heard and welcomed by the screaming audience who began dancing right away.
All in all, it was not a disappointing performance. Modjo was attractive, communicative and made an effort to create an interesting performance. If only it had been held in a much smaller venue, a cafe for example -- the atmosphere would have been a lot livelier.