We Are Augustines @ La Flèche d'Or, Paris (20/10/2012)

Passing through Paris for the second time this year, We Are Augustines was last night at La Flèche d'Or. Remember, earlier this year I had put Chapel Song in the spotlight on Alive.

Originally from Brooklyn, the band became known last year with the release of Rise Ye Sunken Ships, produced by Dave Newfield. Upon its release the album received positive critics, including from The Sun and Music Fix that made Book Of James the single of the week. Then things accelerated and the band went on tour, ranging from opening acts (Kaiser Chiefs, Boxer Rebellion, Counting Crows...) and concerts under its own name, to finish on the main stage of the great Coachella Festival this year.

Arrived on stage with Ballad Of A Patient Man followed by Philadelphia, Billy Mc McCarthy and his acolytes have immediately put the audience at ease. With all their energy they offered a set of 14 songs, mainly from Rise Ye Sunken Ships.

Juarez, Augustines, Patton State Hospital… Many songs that received a warm welcome. The public was not stingy with applause and shouts! We also had a taste of their forthcoming album with East Los Angeles, very promising!

The technical problems did not bother McCarthy. On the contrary, he took them as an opportunity to invite the crowd to get some fresh air with to smoke a cigarette. The concert then continued normally as if nothing had happened with the excellent Headlong Into The Abyss.

They thanked the audience and left the heat of the spots for 2 minutes to better come back on stage, first with a new and quiter version of Philiadelphia, called New Philly.

Not surprisingly, the concert ended in jubilation on Chapel Song and New Drink For The Old Drunk. The band was joined on stage by some spectators that helped making the atmosphere even more crazy!

Still little known in France, We Are Augustines is undoubtedly one of the musical discoveries of the year. Their live performance of songs from Ye Sunken Ships Rise is bluffing, McCarthy living intensely every song.  Whereas they fill larger venues in UK or the USA, it was a real chance to see them at the Flèche d'Or.

The cohesion within the band is a real pleasure to see and their talent is undeniable. Having attended their concert at the Nouveau Casino, yesterday night was totally different compared to it. They were much more comfortable. I must say that now they have a whole lots of shows under their belt. The tour is coming to an end, they don't want to go back to New York and to be honest, we did not really want them to go back either!

Here is the setlist of the concert: