If Housse de Racket were suffering any stage fright over
their first-ever performance in New York, it didn't show. The French electro-pop duo opened on
Thursday, December 8th with "Human Nature" and "Château" from their second
album Alesia, released this year on
famed French label Kitsuné. They
were also ready to impress with harder-hitting tracks like "Synthétiseur",
though they've clearly moved on to a more sophisticated sound. Finishing their set with "Aquarium",
one of their more ambitious songs clocking in at nearly seven minutes, Housse
de Racket showed the crowd at Webster Hall (QRO venue review) what
they're made of.
Click here for photos of Yelle from this show in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery Click here for photos of Yelle at Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA on November 13th, 2011 in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery Click here for photos of Yelle at Bottom Lounge in Chicago, IL on May 6th, 2011 Click here for photos of Yelle at Irving Plaza in New York, NY on April 30th, 2011 in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
As for the main event, producers GrandMarnier and Tepr took
the stage first before frontwoman/namesake Yelle emerged in a haunting
sequence, seemingly dressed as Cousin It. After getting rid of her tasseled
coat, the trio then kicked the party off with their translated cover of Robyn's
(QRO photos) "Who's That Girl" ("Qui
est cette fille" in French).
Yelle, a.k.a. Julie Budet, was clearly the star of the show, bringing
out the vibrant personality of her songs with her active stage presence and
eye-catching 
outfits. On the first
of two sold-out shows in New York, the band tore through older favorites such
as "Je veux te voir" and "Ce Jeu" with aplomb, while also taking on the more
sentimental tone of Safari Disco Club songs "Chimie physique" and
"Comme un Enfant". The set was
capped off with "Cooler Couleur" and "À cause des garçons", surely satisfying
everyone in the audience's need for French dance music.
"This is a sad song," said Rennie Sparks by way of
introduction.
Fordham University radio station WFUV had its award ceremony, honoring Christiane Amanpour, Michael Dorf, Chris Isaak, and Al Michaels.
Fueled with Voodoo Doughnuts, Alcoholic Faith Mission
delivered to a rockin' crowd in Portland.
