Click here for photos from this show in the QRO Concert Photo Gallery
Click here for QRO’s review of Julian Plenti, the night before in Milan at Magazzini Generali
Click here for QRO’s review of Julian Plenti at Scala in London, U.K. on December 3rd, 2009
Julian Plenti’s last show in Europe on the leg of his debut tour on Sunday, December 13th was set at Théâtre de l’Alhambra in the majestic city of Paris, frequented by Paul Banks as part of his Interpol (QRO album review) days, but never as a solo artist. There is a first for everything, and a last, and this was it. Anticipation was high, and after a leg of well-received shows, this show was yet another notch on the bedpost of amazing showmanship.
Although at earlier shows, there were no cues, Interpol have always had a solid fanbase in the European continent, lest France. Fans, queuing from 2:00 PM onwards, waited in anticipation of the show to behold.
Was it worth it? Wear was showing, after a relentless day after day schedule, tiredness was showing on all parts, but it’s about the music, which more than speaks for itself. It seems after a pretty hardcore night in Milan (what do you expect after drinking whiskey from the bottle?…), sometimes it’s harder to get the rock and roll mojo on than just a few. Although Damian Paris, guitarist of The Giraffes, was still doing his thang in ‘his’ city, and the band were still bustin’ their moves (and still at the Jamesons, mind you…), Plenti was still note for note perfect.
Tenderness ensued throughout the show, with "Madrid Song", "Girl On the Sporting News" and "On the Esplanade" causing high emotions through the crowd. Some were even seen to be welling up, and understandably, with the graceful soaring orchestral arrangements delivered with real guilelessness. The reception from the crowd was polite, handclapping all the way with a sprinkling of the very occasional cheer, but the tight delivery 
from the visibly close-knit band deserved more than they were given from this Parisian cold winter crowd.
Although some of the slower songs seemed to hit home, there still remained a distinct lack of atmosphere in the venue. A supposed theatre, but really more reminiscent of a blackened pit, the show was more than a little anti-climatic. Perhaps it’s because your correspondent has personally been spoilt for choice with shows, maybe not. Like to think it is – because if those who were failed to have been impressed let go of the JP saga now, they’re letting go of something real good.
The closing hit "Games For Days" seemed to rile up the crowd a little more, but a little late… Here’s to hoping perhaps Paris will be plenty more ready for Plenti next time around.
Set List 
