A refreshing and approachable thoroughly indie music experience
Montreal’s own Bibi Club brought their unique sound to Edinburgh as the first stop on their brief, three part UK tour promoting their latest album Feu De Garde. Performing at Sneaky Pete’s, the dynamic duo composed of Adèle Trottier-Rivard and Nicolas Basque, captivated the assembled audience with a powerful hour-long set featuring their latest work and older favorites in a blend of English and French. Whimsical and wonderful and yet grounded in experience, the album is composed of fresh and intense explorations of experiences and concepts.
Despite their minimalist setup, Bibi Club’s sound filled the intimate venue with droning and hypnotic intensity, leaving the audience thoroughly engaged by their bold and unmistakably original style. Visually and energetically compelling, the performance was consistently vibrant and immersive song after song, and notably spectacular to see Trottier-Rivard perform on keys, percussion and vocal sometimes simultaneously. Paired with Basque’s downright amazing guitar skills; the duo made the intimate gathering feel much more akin to a stadium tour with their musical athleticism. It was refreshing to witness musicians wielding their voices and instruments with such raw intensity, unfiltered by excessive production. Their repertoire ranged from soulful melodies to dystopian, chaotic soundscapes—an impressive, though at times startling, span of musical expression.
Displaying both laser-like focus and a palpable connection with the audience, Trottier-Rivard and Basque showcased undeniable creative chemistry. A particular highlight of the night was Basque’s seemingly unplanned venture into the crowd to play among the audience, responding seamlessly to some particularly boisterous attendees.
Accurately described by one spectator as “music for musicians,” it was a performance that took knowledge of music and production to fully appreciate in entirety—along with Canadian French. Bibi Club’s performance was cinematic, memorable, and an exhilarating addition to Edinburgh’s music scene. Their show left a lasting impression and introduced a compelling new sound to the city for those gathered. On a technical level it is notable to mention that despite the hypnotic quality of the album the Bibi’s performance was loud and percussive. Whether this is a venue specific experience or a consistent choice remains to be seen, however it is notable to prepare accordingly.