Before the doors opened, the line at House of Blues to see M83 was wrapped around the corner. As one of the employees surveyed the mass of people anxious to get inside, he shouted something about skipping the line if you had a fastpass. “Fastpass? What is this, Disneyland?” I asked under my breath. The guy in front of me chuckled, and we shared a brief moment of desire for anything that would bring us one step closer to the French synth-pop band.
The anticipation was worth the wait. M83’s show in Dallas this past Sunday was as exuberant as their new record Fantasy, which was the shining star of the setlist. Filled with sax solos, colorful lights, and haunting melodies, this show was one for the books.
Before the stage was ignited with electric and atmospheric dance tracks, opening artist Rachika Nayar, who was barely visible behind her laptop and dense fog, began the night with an ambient instrumental set. Though I didn’t particularly care for this set, the rest of the crowd seemed on board. Lengthy, experimental mood pieces were punctuated by enthusiastic cheers and applause, and I found the juxtaposition between the two comical.
Once M83 hit the stage, the momentum was instantly reset. The band members’ appearances were as eclectic as their music: One of the guitarists looked like he hopped straight out of a Tony Hawk skating game, the drummer seemed plucked out of the ‘80s LA punk scene, the backup vocalist appeared as if she was headed straight to a rave after, and frontman Anthony Gonzales was classically cool in jeans and a T-shirt. Despite the lack of visual coherence, the band could not have been more in sync sonically. My favorite number was “Fantasy,” the namesake of the latest album and tour. In a single word, the performance was fun; it was the perfect embodiment of what I had hoped an M83 show would be.
The only bone I have to pick with the show is about the crowd. For an act so energetic and lively, the audience was, for lack of a better word, kind of boring. I was expecting to be engulfed by a sea of bodies jumping and dancing, but the vast majority of the crowd was stationary, refusing to express engagement through so much as a head nod. Part of me is forgiving; I’m typically far too self-conscious to even consider dancing in public. But the other part of me has no time for excuses. When M83 is in Dallas for the first time since 2016, there’s no option but to submit your body to the music.
I was also somewhat disappointed with the crowd’s fixation on “Midnight City,” which was saved until the encore. Between nearly every song, there was a chorus of requests for the 2011 hit. I get it, that song is one of my all time favorites. But it’s also dismissive of the rest of the show, which was truly spectacular. If you attend a concert to see the band’s most popular song, don’t worry, they will play it. Until then, enjoy the rest of what they have to offer, because it’s likely just as exciting.
Overall, M83 this past Sunday was a total blast. I was glad the show took place at a more intimate venue, but it easily could have packed somewhere larger, like the Toyota Music Factory. I’ve been listening to Fantasy since Sunday night in an attempt to keep the party going, but it’s not the same as hearing it live. I hope I don’t have to wait seven more years to see M83 in person again, but if that’s what it takes, I’ll do it.
