Stereolab
Brighton Concorde 2
18th December, 2008

Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadler provided the vocal and focal centrepiece for this musically tight band, with the other five members forming a supportive arc. All their interactions with the audience were through Laetitia, who, at times, came across like a shy school teacher, at others a flirtatious chanteuse, teasing the audience. In the first hour, Stereolab played a mix of tracks from the new Chemical Chords, and classics. Highlights included Ecstatic Static and Self Portrait, as well as Ping Pong and the climax, French Disco. The mix was just right between vocal and wall of sound accompaniment. It was a pleasure watching musicians undertaking their craft with care, the only reservation being that it felt slightly restrained – remedied with a wonderful 30- minute encore, including a triumphant Cybele’s Reverie. We were then indulged with an electro jam like the BBC Radiophonic Workshop meeting Hawkwind. There was musical alchemy in the air.