A View From The Back Of The Room: Lazuli (Review By Paul H)

Lazuli, The Exchange, Bristol

Racing across the country to get to a gig is never much fun, but having sat on the Transport For Wales train for 90 minutes longer than necessary because some poor sod got hit by a train, it was rewarding to find that French progressive outfit Lazuli (9) were playing a two hour set. With eight albums to choose from, there was no shortage of material to play and the Frenchmen set about their task with a vigour and enthusiasm that deserved and demanded a much larger audience than the 50 or soul hardy souls who made the effort. For those of you who have missed this fantastic band, Lazuli hail from Southern France and were formed in 1998 by brothers Claude and Dominique Leonetti. The band play everything from soft, instrumental progressive rock to harder, rocky songs but all with an unique style, although at times reminiscent of Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree. Claude uses a Leode which he invented and designed himself after losing the use of his left hand in a motorbike accident. Add in percussion, vibraphone and French horn as well as keyboards and guitar and you have a potent mix.

Despite the small audience the band soldiered on as if they were headlining a venue twenty times as big and although there were a few minor technical difficulties, the band raced through a fabulous set from their catalogue including several from this year’s fabulous Saison 8. Having seen the band three times before, I know what the band are capable of and with no support and free reign this was a couple of steps up from previous shows. Tracks from Nos Ames Saolues included the hauntingly beautiful Le Temps Est A La Rage, Le Lierre and the stunning Chaussures A Nos Pieds. Poignant moments included Dominique’s broken English as he wished that the UK would not split from Europe post Brexit, and the refugee references in the introduction to the spectacular Le Cotes. Humble beyond belief, the smiles of Dominique, guitarist Gederec Beyar, keyboardist Romain Thorel and percussionist Vincent Barnavol and Claude (once he had sorted his technical gremlins) were infectious and as you scanned the room, everyone was beaming with sheer joy.

This is a band that grab your attention and refuse to let you change direction for a second, such is the joy that they generate. Having played for over two hours, Lazuli concluded their evening in their usual style with a dramatic five person vibraphone climax. An enormous ovation saw the band take a lengthy bow which was totally deserved. If you like music, then Lazuli should be checked out immediately. They may not be bone crunching metal but they are some of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen. A fabulous evening yet again from a band who are just astounding.