Nouvelle Vague in both Edinburgh & Glasgow?
The Mumble just had sent in a couple of review teams
Queens Hall
Edinburgh
22.11.2025
When I got to the venue last night Raymond, the amazing photographer, was having a fag, when this chap comes up to me and asked me if I was part of the band? ” I might look like a handsome rockstar, but tonight I am reviewing the performance. Ohhhh he replies, well, my Mrs and I are really comfortable and cannae be arsed with the support act. Ohhhh I replied.
Support acts can be hit or miss and are usually target practice for piss bottles, But tonight the chap that was talking to me missed out, because they were really special. Phoebe Killdeer and The Shift are like a slimmed down Kraftwerk, a duo that are a Nuevo of a different kind, spoken word electronica with the trippiest lighting, more of an art installation that was both original and mesmerizingly entertaining. that left me gagging for more as this was only a short set. I look forward to experiencing this wonderful duo again.
Nouvelle Vague, the renowned bossa nova project founded by Marc Collin and the late Olivier Libaux in 2003, has become a musical phenomenon over the past two decades. Initially conceived as a one-off tribute to post-punk songwriting in a bossa nova style, Nouvelle Vague’s debut album unexpectedly soared to global acclaim. The band’s unique fusion of melancholic post-punk and bossa nova, coupled with their daring French reinterpretation approach, set them apart.
The Band
Marc Colin.
Julien Boye on Drums,
Oliver Smith on double bass
Jérôme Pichon on guitars.
Lead singers Mélanie Pain and Phoebe Killdeer,
With support from new performers Alonya and Marine Quéméré.
Set List
Love Will Tear Us Apart. (Joy Division)
People are People. (Depeche Mode.)
Only You. (Yazoo)
Making Plans For Nigel. (XTC)
This Is Not a Love Song. (PIL)
Girls On Film. (Duran Duran)
A Forest. (The Cure)
Marian (The Sisters Of Mercy)
Teenage Kicks. (The Undertones)
Should I Stay or Should I Go? (The Clash)
I Just Can’t Get Enough. (Depeche Mode)
She’s In Parties. (Bauhaus)
Too Drunk To Fuck. (The Dead Kennedys)
Shout. (Tears For Fears)
Ever Fallen In Love Wth Someone? (The Buzzcocks)
Don’t Go. (Yazoo)
This Charming Man.(The Smiths)
In A Matter Of speaking. (Martin Gore)
This tour is to celebrate the release of Novelle Vagues’ self-titled debut album. Being 21 years old and a global smash, Novelle Vague (New Wave in French) first release has become a loyal friend over the years and with a source material that for me personally couldnae be more perfect. Am still a New Romantic and a DJ that spins all this (And More). The Originals are every post-punk creatives, wet dream. Songs are ingrained on one’s consciousness from decades of dancing to them. From a musical snob perspective, it really shouldnae work.
I mean, the classic “Dead Kennedys. Too Drunk To Fuck” Performed in a bossa nova style with a French twist!!!!???? I know Punk Rock is all about doing it one’s own way and Nouvelle Vague have taken the bull by the horns on this one. Because in all reality they know that any self-respecting true fan of the source material will be diving into their record collections for the real thing, after hearing this travesty of performance art. It shouldnae work, but with its massive success, it obviously does.
Novelle Vague are a very successful cabaret act, that have played The Royal Albert Hall. A band with an ever-evolving vocal cast, Bringing these brilliant songs to new ears, which in turn open doorways of musical perception. Of course it is the songs that have given The Vague the success that they have achieved with these unique arrangements, if one can hang up the musical snob hat and let go of the initial reaction, the musical proficiency here is spellbinding, without a synthesizer in sight.
A musical experiment geared towards the monied lovey-darlings that wouldnae normally entertain Post Punk Culture. Which can only be a good thing for all concerned. The capacity audience loved it. Raymond the amazing photographer, absolutely loved it. But for me?? Nah am nae convinced. Good, but not a patch on the originals.
Words: Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert
Photos: Raymond Speedie
QMU, Glasgow
23rd Nov, 2025
Rocking up to Glasgow University Student unions famous QMU venue (Queen Margaret Union) takes you right to its heart. The venue has some worldwide fame as to concerts played by highly prolific and famous bands, early Nirvana for example. It’s a favourite of mine probably because of its student vibes but definitely because of its glorious layout, holding something for the gods.
Ready for some raw talent we stepped into a support act called Phoebe Killdear and the shift whose efforts for the New Wave sound stretch the imagination. There to see Nouvelle Vague (literally New Wave) the support had their own inimitable ways. It was quite a performance, mixing a menacing base with projected patterns and electronic vibes, the two acts have worked together on numerous projects.
After this somewhat hypnotic act finished their ultra-modern set of songs we felt relaxed, at ease and a little turned on.
Nouvelle Vague, whose night it was, are a formidable French act, their presence, craft and ideas give you a different night so musically they are very astute. I’d never seen a stage so filled and infiltrated, so warming, hugging and seductive.
In the name of New Wave art, they set up for a debut album back in 2004 calling it simply Nouvelle Vague. Their involvement in this gracious style can be traced back to before their time to the French Cinema of the 1960’s, its ambience clearly defined as an overthrow to soft music that is capable of many things, not least to really entertain.
The cats on stage had that presence of ultimate music, total showmanship and fiery delivery. Setting soft and great traits of creating a personality standing on a wealthy podium. Refreshed we poured ourselves into a worthy stage of sultry vocals, cunning music of the covers they have made their own.
Moulding out a new way of playing these covers of 70’s, 80’s, 90’s music they started with Joy Divisions hit ‘Love will tear us apart’ the vocals melted an audience lucky to catch such an evening. The band consisting of electric and acoustic guitar, thin looking double bass, percussion and the two divine female singers.
In the name of music this act has worked with many vocalists, female, its current collaboration of the two gives off a feeling of an out of this world experience. The smiles grew to joy as the band, well aware of their quality, played from a deep heart and a sophistication of practice, playfully surrendering into a night of revelry.
Top level everything, melting any imbalance between stage and audience, whispering and slowing, getting down in a very successful trick of actually making the works. As comfy as a soft couch, as lively as a daring bank robbery, a connection cast in gold, melted and imploding.
Got to get down to verse, discover back doors, let me into a feeling heart and vocals straight from the pinnacles hi and low. Electric soul, French sophistication, a moment of joy and leaving behind of anything else.
Words: Daniel Donnelly
Photos: Clare Crines
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