Mid way through tonight’s set, the Violators disappear from stage and Kurt Vile stands alone, white lighting shining down on him. Stand Inside from latest album B’lieve I’m Goin Down is delivered solo with an acoustic guitar and the crowd are in the palm of his hand. Where minutes before everyone was moving, now they are utterly still; engrossed with what’s taking place in front of them.

 

Support tonight comes from New York’s Lushes. Last minute replacements for the originally billed support, Waxahatchee, the duo create twisted and distorted experimental soundscapes. Reminiscent in parts of post-rock legends Slint, singer James Arderys vocal is brooding and tortured with occasional hints of Kurt Cobain at his most pained. In tandem with Joel Myers on the drums, there sound is certainly an acquired taste but it goes down well with the growing audience.

 

As road crews busy themselves setting up equipment, the stage is bathed in the blue, white and red of Le Tricolore. With so many of the victims of last Fridays attacks losing their lives at the Bataclan theatre, it feels important to pay tribute here and it’s a beautiful touch from one music venue to another.

 

B’lieve I’m Goin’ Down, Kurt Vile’s sixth studio album, continues the form of 2011 breakthrough Smoke Ring For My Halo and 2013’s Wakin On A Pretty Daze and is perhaps his most instantly accessible work to date. Opening with two songs from the new record, I’m an Outlaw and Dust Bunnies, the Violators are straight into it at full pace.

 

Walkin on a Pretty Day follows and, although it retains some of the languid mellowness of the album version, the live performance is turned up a notch. Kurt takes acoustic for this one but there’s no chance of that slowing him down. A multitude of pedals and effects,  twist and bend the sound to create something completely new and absorbing.

 

Kurt Vile himself is a curious creature. He seems almost uncomfortable between tracks, quickly peeling off his guitar, ready for the next one to take its place. His stoner dropout demeanour is belied however by the mischievous glint in his eye, the smile that’s almost a snarl and the infectious energy he gives off. He’s wired and channels that energy perfectly into each track.

 

The main set is capped off in fantastic style; the Violators delivering a rocked up, no holds barred Freak Train from 2009’s Childish Prodigy. A steady building rhythm with Kurt’s drawled vocal on top, the track continues to build and build. Keys and sax are added to the mix and the vocal grows more manic and desperate before the band come together in a final crescendo. It’s a phenomenal finish from a band with an incredibly tight chemistry and a band leader firmly at the top of his game.