Alliance française in Hong Kong and Love Da Records reunites two of the most prominent figures of the French contemporary musical scene for an exceptional concert on Saturday May 9th at Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

NOUVELLE VAGUE

Since the first appearance in 2004 with their self-titled album, Nouvelle Vague has already become a household name with their constant requests for world touring and from hearing their cover-music whilst we are walking in trendy stores, having diner in a fancy restaurant and even when watching TV! Their cover of Modern English “I’ll Melt With You” has appeared on several occasions for instance on the Mr. & Mrs. Smith soundtrack and on hit American TV series Grey Anatomy’s and The Hills. Their music appearance list is just endless…

If you don’t know Nouvelle Vague, just think of a marriage of New Wave and Bossa Nova! Two incredibly prescient yet improbably musical bedfellows! They are multi-instrumentalists, Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, who have became worldwide sensations with their eponymous 1st album which transformed a selection of underground post-punk hits from Joy Division, Depeche Mode and The Clash into sophisticated, acoustic bossa-influences chansons. On their 2006 album “Bande à Part”, the duo have once again dust off tunes by The Buzzcocks, New Order, Bauhaus – and strip them down to the kind of happy-go-lucky lounge classics – achieved by gathering a parade of heavenly chanteuse.

Marc Collins, Oliver Libaux, and their honey-voiced accomplices have achieved nothing short of jaw dropping music that is completely recognizable and true to it’s original meaning. In 2009, fans would be expecting a 3rd album and another memorable live concert experience at Le French May Showdown!

HIGHTONE

The irreverent heirs of Lee Scratch Perry, brought up from an early age on the most rootsy rock steady, High Tone’s universe has expanded over the last ten years, mixing strings, percussions and Rather that machine-based blending, the five Tones have opted for a choice of live guitars / bass / drums / DJ / keyboards, in order to provide their sound with this organic texture. Over the years and albums, High Tone has embedded its dub with sonic distortions, hip hop gimmicks, down tempo rhythms, creating a wholly original sound. Their latest album, Underground Wobble, takes off from where Wave Digger (2005) had momentarily paused, pushing the limits even further. The percussions run wild, the guitars are more incisive and metallic than ever, the oriental echoes take us down new routes, before another dive into an industrial electro atmosphere blended with break beat… All the while, you can feel Underground Wobble consorting with the verve of Amon Tobin, the frenzy of Prefuse 73, the meanders of Mezzanine period Massive Attack or the jungle of Goldie at its best… Beyond their talent in terms of production and multiples samples, it by performing live that the members of the band reach a new high, thanks to the energy displayed by the total adequacy between the sound and the visual performances. On stage, they produce outstanding sound but also unprecedented light effects and unequalled video projections. The High Tone « touch » is undoubtedly on its way forward.

With a special performance by MY LITTLE AIRPORT.