As one does, I first discovered The Blaze in 2018 during a late night over some drinks with friends at someone’s house. Our musical accompaniment that evening was a projector playing Youtube videos as everyone freely DJed their selections and indulged in the innocence of pre-pandemic conversations that now feels like a previous era altogether. Queue Territory from Paris-based music and video electronic duo The Blaze, composed of cousins Guillaume and Jonathan Alric. Their punctuated moments of perfectly synced visual and audio brought a halt to the conversations, as we all took in the beautiful footage of Algiers and tried to make sense of a story that seemed to focus on equal parts male relationships and some sort of homecoming tale. All this of course buoyed by the deep bass and lush sounds that make up the electronic sounds signature to the group.
Fast-forward a few years to present day and The Blaze have managed to conquer much of the world and carve out a name for themselves, having performed at Coachella, Primavera Sound, Lollapalooza, and many other international festivals (including our very own One Love Festival in 2019). Having caught them for their first Istanbul visit, I was excited to hear they’d be making yet another return and wanted to share some love for these exciting live performers. Thus, four reasons you should check out their upcoming performance at Volkswagen Arena, put on by Label Project. Tickets are currently on sale now.
#1. The Blaze is Best Catered for a Live Music Experience, Visually and Musically
The Blaze’s first and only album Dancehall (2018) is a fair reflection on their sound, perhaps in a mixed way. While the album carries many of the duo’s beloved tracks, listening to it one can’t help but feel that this is music best suited to the album’s namesake – open spaces with booming base, loud speakers, and big, climactic moments in their individual songs for people to dance freely to. Accompany this with their distinct aesthetic for visuals, also on display in other videos such as 2016’s “Virile” or 2018’s “Queens” and “Heaven”, and it’s easy to understand why their live performances have received such positive acclaim. While videos are not translated directly, they bring so much of this visual know-how to stage with them, offering up a tapestry of lights and art to take in when they are performing in an otherwise dark space.
#2. The Blaze are Beloved in Istanbul
International performers coming to Turkey certainly seem fewer by the day, but it does feel as though there is a selection of global performers that frequent this city who will always hold a place in the hearts of an Istanbul audience. With yet another return visit, The Blaze are cementing their place among this elite. Headlining One Love in 2019, difficulties at the airport meant that they couldn’t make their much-anticipated closing performance for the festival. The result? They performed the following night… managing to bring a massive audience back out on a Sunday (perhaps a bit rough around the edges from the previous day’s revelry) for a live performance that many had initially thought wouldn’t happen and likely winning some hearts for their dedication. Last year they followed up with another visit, venturing to Küçükçiftlik Park and bringing plenty of fans out despite some fairly inclement weather. Safe to say a relationship with this city is starting to simmer.
#3. Volkswagen Arena and Label Project Are a Perfect Match
As mentioned, there is no better setting for The Blaze than a dancehall, and for these purposes, Volkswagen Arena is the ideal destination. For those who don’t know, Label Project are at the forefront of electronic music organization in Turkey. A quick look through their Instagram and previous live performances will show the essentials, many of the best names in the industry at many of the best venues in the country. Their most recent gig at Volkswagen headlined by Paula Temple b2b SNTS and featuring IMOGEN and Sekulahr was a night to remember. Attracting a full house and showcasing so much of what makes the venue special, it was a visual and audio feast for the fans in attendance.
#4. Avangart Tabldot and Erez Öztürk are Excellent Local Openers
One aspect of the general live music experience in Turkey that I am not a huge fan of is when an individual well-known band is the only performer on the billing. A proper live music venture should involve discovering new artists! As such, the evening festivities starting a bit earlier so that performers Avangart Tabldot and Erez Öztürk can also rile up the crowd is music to my ears. It’s an added bonus that they’re both local and perform regularly. Childhood friends Ata, Semih, and Aytek compose Avangart Tabldot, sharing their unique energies with and in contrast to each other on stage, and boasting a portfolio that includes performing with some of the biggest acts that have come to Turkey. Erez Öztürk remains a bit more mysterious in backstory, but comes highly recommended and has graced his fair share of festivals and local performances.
So what are you waiting for you? See you there!
The Blaze, courtesy of Label Project, arrive to Volkswagen Arena on the night of Saturday 29 January. Tickets are on sale now.
