The robots could also be lengthy gone, however Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter is again – and displaying his human face.
Bangalter, the silver-helmeted half of the legendary French digital duo, made a uncommon return to the decks on Saturday evening, becoming a member of Fred Once more.., Erol Alkan, and Pedro Winter for a shock back-to-back DJ set at Paris’ Centre Pompidou.
In the course of the late-night set, he combined Daft Punk classics “Rollin’ & Scratchin’,” “Digital Love,” and “Contact,” amongst different digital classics, in keeping with Pitchfork.
The unannounced efficiency marked the twentieth anniversary of As a result of Music, and was Bangalter’s first DJ look in 16 years – and his first with out Daft Punk’s trademark helmet in additional than 20 years.
Fred Once more.. shared on Instagram that Bangalter had confided a private connection to the venue.
“The primary time he fell in love with digital music was on this constructing in 1992,” he wrote. “He additionally advised me he hasn’t performed a correct set with out the masks on for twenty-four years.”
Bangalter final carried out dwell with Daft Punk companion Man-Manuel de Homem-Christo throughout the Weeknd’s 2017 Grammy Awards set. The French duo, identified for his or her groundbreaking mix of home, funk, and techno, formally disbanded in 2021 after practically three many years collectively.
They introduced their cut up in a bittersweet video that now has over 30 million views.
Since Daft Punk disbanded, Bangalter has pursued solo work, together with the 2023 orchestral album “Mythologies,” initially composed for ballet. Earlier this 12 months, Daft Punk’s legacy resurfaced via a collaboration with the online game “Fortnite,” which added a number of of their songs and digital variations of their signature helmets.
The Centre Pompidou efficiency capped an evening celebrating As a result of Music’s 20 years as a cornerstone of French digital and popular culture — and marked a placing reemergence for considered one of its most elusive icons.
