Juniore @ Lafayette, Kings Cross, London 04.09.24

“Five Years, my brain hurts a lot…” as the opening chorus from Ziggy Stardust goes. While the entire planet and the music sector had things particularly badly during the pandemic, Juniore were no exception. With the twin evils of Covid and Brexit ruining their touring plans and forcing their UK label to close down, the Parisian indie pop specialists endured a torrid time.

This evening however, with a score of UK dates at Psych Fests just completed, a new LP in the racks imminently and an exepectant crowd in attendance, the pendulum has deservedly swung back in their favour. Lead singer Anna-Jean explains to the audience at the top of the set their joy at playing on this side of the Channel again, something that didn’t seem altogether certain four years ago. The time elapsed clearly hasn't dented their popularity either as Lafayette is sardines capacity come show time.

Anna-Jean, multi-tasking with consummate ease on vocals, keys, guitar and percussion leads the charge as Soudain and a languid stroll along La Plage are logged early on. Under his trademark wide brimmed black hat, Samy Osta tackles six string duties, bracing 45 Le Silence that announced their recent re-emegence and La Route showcasing the outfit’s knack at indelible riffs. In the engine room, drummer Swannny, flailing hair and pinpoint skills holds proceedings together with unerring precision while newly arrived bassist Lou Maréchal supplies solid foundational support and melodic curlicues.

Panique becomes more of a garage rock banger with each passing year, extended here via a stomping instrumental section and concluding to huge cheers. From forthcoming album Trois, Deux, Un, new single Bowling de Diano Marina is a Fellini film in pop song format, while staying with soundtracks, Ca Vrai Tu Mens is an excellent Ipcress File-esque spy flick missive. Showcasing how easily they can shift gears stylistically, kaledoscopic pop tune spoken word mash up En Retard dovetails with Ah Bah D’Accord the roughed up younger cousin of Panique which bristles with insouciant, punkish cool.

A masterclass of noirish indie pop essayed in an what-felt-like-a-fraction-of-that eighty minute blast. New album imminent, troubles surmounted, trebles all round. See you again soon. In a venue double the size.