Review: Myd @ El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles

 

☆ BY Britt Jacobson

 
 

IT WAS AN UNUSUALLY FRIGID SATURDAY NIGHT IN LA, and as I waited to enter the El Rey Theatre I was glad to see how thorough and careful security was in checking in guests. The room was definitely not as packed as I have seen it for other shows, but on a rainy and cold night I can’t say I expected anything else from my Southern Californian crowd. Ultimately their loss was our gain (physical gains, as in more room to dance). 

As soon as Quentine Lepoutre, better known as Myd stepped out onstage with the “Myd Live Band” members as he kept referring to them, Charles de Cabarrus and Anouk Amati, the crowd erupted into applause. The energy in the room was a little sluggish to start, but this trio got everyone dancing in no time. 

Lepoutre (Myd) immediately went to work, bouncing around the stage and enthusiastically DJing. He also did a fantastic job of continuing to introduce his band throughout the show and clearly appreciates them a great deal. When he was introducing everyone on stage he also noted that there was a “fourth” band member onstage- Amati’s unborn child. He even joked with the audience that they had been getting baby name suggestions each night from the audience members. Eventually the LA crowd decided that the baby’s name would be Janice. A few names, some in tribute to Daft Punk were tossed out, which also led to Lepoutre joking that the audience must be full of “geeks” like him.

 It was really beautiful to see the group dynamic and how much support Amati seemed to be getting from her bandmates as a pregnant touring musician. She is a badass keyboardist, and exuded a cool girl realness that truly could only come from France. Cabarrus was just as enthusiastic in his performance, and was truly the glue in the group dynamic, holding the stage together and keeping things groovy for us all.

I truly appreciated how much energy the group had considering it was their last night of their North American tour. It was clear that they were excited to perform in LA, and their excitement was matched by the people who came out to see them in the rain. There is truly no greater compliment from an LA crowd than driving in under 50-degree weather. Everyone was there to dance, and I must say the entire performance was much housier than I was expecting. Based on Myd’s tracks I was expecting a more indie mellow vibe, which was delivered in the performance of his song “Moving Men”. I have to say, I was crossing my fingers and toes that LA resident Mac Demarco would come out and perform this collab live, but perhaps the stars will align another time. 

I was delighted when JAWNY came out as a surprise guest appearance. Myd described him as his “American twin” which was very endearing and the crowd was very excited to see him. 

Myd really exhibited excellent crowd control, getting everyone to get down and then jump to the beat. He proved that he knows how to get a party started and I am excited for him and his live band to come through LA again soon. Perhaps next time with baby Janice. 

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