Phoenix – Shepherd's Bush Empire, London 22/04/13

As a certain robotic masked-duo continue to dominate our musical headlines, there is another fiercely cool Parisian outfit that have effortlessly returned from hiatus without causing a social media firestorm.

It has been four years since Phoenix’s arguably faultless, Grammy-winning, fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix appeared; an album that thrust the French alt-rock quartet out of the relative shadows of European music, into a deserved international limelight. Singles like ’1901′ and ‘Lisztomania’ proved what a knack they have for writing uplifting and intensely moreish pop songs and, although the new record Bankrupt! promised more experimental sounds, the band really have continued in the same, brilliant vein.

On the day of this new albums release, Phoenix sold out the iconic Shepherd’s Bush Empire, a venue that may not possess the lavish decor of their hometown palace but nevertheless remains one of the Capital’s finest live music homes. The floor swarms with people as the current single, ‘Entertainment’ and it’s unmistakable Oriental refrain, welcomes them to the stage, accompanied by an excitable furor from the crowd.

It’s a full-on attack on the senses from the outset; blinding strobe lighting, heart-murmuring bass and shuddering percussion – the drummer’s relentless energy and ferocity comparable to The Muppets’ Animal. Two stripped-back renditions of ‘Playground Love’ and ‘Countdown’ provide early moments of respite, as frontman Thomas Mars displays gentle versatility by almost story-telling with the crowd he is in-amongst. He is a frontman in the true sense of the word, bounding around exuding chic charisma throughout.

Although the evening is celebrating a collection of new songs, it feels like a greatest hits show, with early singles like ‘Too Young’ as well as almost the entire Wolfgang… album sounding completely satisfying. The visual emphasis continues, as stripes of scanning white lights accompany the opening to ‘Love Like A Sunset’, before alarming multi-coloured strobing appears alongside ‘Bankrupt!’ which screeches out forming this wonderful medley of interludes.

‘S.O.S In Bel Air’ and ‘Trying To Be Cool’ fulfil the new album excitement and allude to what a solid return it is; ‘Rome’ makes up an encore, before Mars embarks on one of the most impressive crowd-surfs you are likely to see, ascending to the Level One seating to our amazement, and managing to return safely to a reprise of ‘Entertainment’.

The health and safety nightmare of the year brings smiles and old fashioned rock n’ roll to ensure the show had every box ticked and topped off a massively cool return from Phoenix, who remain one of the hottest bands around.

Photograph by Minh Le