Yann Tiersen, Exeter Phoenix, Sunday 17 May, 8pm
By Martin Hodge
Mention Yann Tiersen from Brittany, France and most of us think immediately of the Amelie soundtrack which brought Tiersen worldwide acclaim in 2001 with its paired down music featuring mainly piano and violin and the occasional melodic singing.
But that’s by no means all he’s done. His many albums and live performances display a great variety of instruments, numerous collaborations and accompaniment ranging from drum, bass and guitar to a full orchestra.
On his current tour, we find a return to Tiersen’s rock and roll roots and an exploration of electricity in music.
Gone are the lilting tunes and frantic waltzes and banished is Tiersen’s trademark solitude. What is left is an electric guitar and a no-nonsense band to go with it.
Tiersen has loved rock since his adolescence in the days of Nick Cave and Joy Division but that doesn’t mean he forgets his own past experience and previous recordings.
He has definitely retained the melodic qualities of his music. On recent albums, Tiersen has been singing more and we can indeed expect vocals from him on this tour.
Sounds intriguing? Want to find out more? Check out
www.myspace.com/yanntierseninprogress or www.yanntiersen.com and come along to the Phoenix on 17 May.
Tickets cost £14 or £12 for concessions. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are available from Exeter Phoenix box office: www.exeterphoenix.org.uk tel. 01392 667061.