Modjo in concert: Tunes fail to get fans going

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.