ROCKERPARIS went to some exclusive shows this year: private concerts, club shows by arena size bands.
Nothing could top
Guns N Roses playing @
L'Arc Club in 2010 but we've been to some good stuff in 2011, here's the list:
Pj Harvey/ Jamiroquai/ Ben Harper
1)
PJ Harvey @
Maroquinerie Feb 14 : First show to promote "Let England Shake" in this tiny 400 capacity club, guests and competition winners only.The show was broadcasted live on Arte TV. She played the whole new album and a few oldies. She would be playing two sold out gigs @ Olympia Théatre a few months later.
2)
Jamiroquai @
Olympia March 07 : Private show during the Fashion Week for
Paul & Joe.
This fashion brand was celebrating their 15th anniversary
and invited
Jamiroquai for a short 45 min set
. I think it was
Jamiroquai first show to promote the new album as the Tour only started one month later. We had a great night : first the fashion show then the concert and afterwards party all night long with DJs, lots of booze and quality food. The best party we've been to this year.
3)
Ben Harper & R7 @
Fleche d'Or May 09: To promote
"Give till it's gone" album, club show with competition winners, guests and some people who bought their ticket. Great show, broadcasted live on the radio and on the internet for video. Only show in Paris for this tour.
4)
Arctic Monkeys @
Album de la Semaine June 16 & @
Cigale June 16 : First was a private show @ Canal+ in front of 200 people, 12 songs in less than 45 min. A let down as the
Arctic Monkeys have never been a great live band. It seemed as if they didn't give a fuck.
Second show the day after at the tiny
Cigale (1200 capacity) for a proper show opened to the public. 21 songs set. Much better gig but still it could have been better.
Arctic Monkeys / Coldplay/ Red Hot Chili Peppers : all playing
La Cigale this year.
5)
Coldplay @
Cigale Oct 31: Private show for competition winners & guests before they played a sold out
Bercy on Dec 14. They will be playing @
Stade de France in September 2012 and it's already sold-out. Average show too many shitty songs, Bercy was much better in December.
6)
Patti Smith @
Eglise St Eustache Nov 04: Patti played a few acoustic shows in unusual places in France on this tour including this one @ Paris in a church. Great show once again. She would be back in Paris later that month for two sold out shows at the
Olympia. It's not the first time we're attending gigs in a church with Patti. Last time was for the "Nuit Blanche" of 2008 @
Eglise St Germain des Près where she performed 5 sets between 9:30pm and 4:00am. We've been to all of them.
7)
Red Hot Chili Peppers @
Cigale, Dec 19: After seeing them @
Paris Bercy on Oct 19 for their second show in this arena (both shows were sold-out)
RHCP are back in Paris for this private show for guests and competition winners. Once again it's broadcasted live on the internet. Better show than the one in Bercy.We were just in front of Flea, second row on the side Great view for a very good gig. Our last for 2011