Culture Kings: PHOENIX at the Fillmore Miami Beach

Monday, August 16, 2010

PHOENIX at the Fillmore Miami Beach

The French group Phoenix draws elements from their eclectic '80s upbringing to arrive at a satisfying synthesis of rock and synthesizers. Vocalist Thomas Mars, bassist Deck d'Arcy, and guitarist Christian Mazzalai were a garage band based out of Mars' house in the suburbs of Paris. Mazzalai's older brother Branco also joined the band on guitar. United, the group's debut album was recorded over two months. The album featured guest appearances from friends and family, including Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk), Philippe Zdar (Cassius), and d'Arcy's mother's choral society on the track "Funky Squaredance." From that point, they issued Alphabetical (2004), It's Never Been Like That (2006), and their mainstream breakthrough, the critically adored Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009). Part of the extended break between the third and fourth albums was due to Mars becoming a father (with his partner, director Sofia Coppola). In 2009 Phoenix received a Grammy nomination for the album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix for Best Alternative Music Album. On January 31, 2010 Phoenix won the Grammy Award in this category. Shortly afterwards, the single "1901" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Alternative Songs chart. Phoenix performed at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California on Sunday, April 18, 2010, the 2010 Bonnaroo Music Festival in June, and at the 2010 Lollapalooza Music Festival on August 7.