Your introduction to the French New Wave with Oui Love

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A motley bunch of ace emerging French acts hit the road in England next week. The Oui Love tour brings together four bands that are exploding back on their home turf in a string of dates that will have Gallic mouths watering from across the channel. Much of the French scene is thriving but little known here in the UK, and it’s about time that was redressed…

So get yourself along and sate that rapidly forming curiosity that I can see. It’s coming out of your ears a bit, dude. Like some kind of foamy pink… ectoplasm.

Tour 1: The Shoes/Bewitched Hands on the Top of Our Heads/ Jimi’s Parade
May 10th: Norwich, B2. Support: We Can’t Dance
May 11th: Lincoln, Mezz Bar. Support: Ironi
May 12th: Birmingham, O2 Acacdemy3. Support: Bella Diem (special guests)
May 13th: Bristol, O2 Academy2. Support: Arianna and The Forth Phase.
May 14th: London, French Revolution at The Macbeth.
May 15th: Brighton, The Great Escape. Venue tbc.

Tour 2: Revolver/Curry and Coco**/ Bella Diem
May 15th: Brighton, The Great Escape. Venue tbc. Support: For Marla**
May 17th: Glasgow, O2 ABC2 **
May 18th: Dundee, Dukes Corner **
May 19th: Hull, Adelphi Club. Support: Local Hull Guest **/
May 20th: York, The Duchess. Support: Voodoo In Vain
May 21st: Liverpool, Sound City Festival, Heebie Jeebies. Support: Dan Gallagher

The Shoes

http://www.myspace.com/the.shoesmusic

Having decided to swap their guitars for computers in an effort to create a new style of rock n roll, Guillaume Briere and Benjamin Lebeau have been forging their own brand of urban electro ever since. Having done re-mixes for the likes of Late of The Pier, Santogold, Ladyhawke and Mystery Jets to name but a few (earning them the title of remixers of the year 2009 by XFM DJ Eddy Temple Morris) and with two UK single releases already under their belt, The Shoes are now ready to unleash their ferocious live show on the UK ahead of their album release later in 2010.

Bewitched Hands on the Top of Our Heads

http://www.myspace.com/handsbewitched

Hailing from Reims, Bewitched Hands on the Top of Our Heads don’t subscribe to the usual traditions of French pop. Theirs are catchy melodic songs, where psychedelic, duel-vocal harmonies crossover with folk. A mesmerising live act (comparisons have been made to both Arcade Fire and The Flaming Lips) discovered at the best festivals in France as well as SXSW 2010, Bewitched are now part of the must see artists on the new pop rock scene.

Revolver

http://www.myspace.com/popdechambre

Classically trained and yes, named after THAT Beatles album, Revolver members Ambroise, Christophe and Jeremie create what they call ‘chamber pop’— a reference to both Renaissance compositions and the sound of early Sixties Brit Beat. Their unique brand of baroque indie-pop caught the attention of EMI bosses, who signed them up in an instant after hearing their Myspace tracks. A critically acclaimed album ‘Music For A While’ followed, produced by Julien Delfaud of Phoenix and Herman Dune fame.

Curry and Coco

http://www.myspace.com/curryandcoco

Childhood friends Thomas and Sylvain have been touring Europe under the guise of Curry and Coco non-stop over the last three years, winning over audiences with their utopian mix of suave disco and new-wave movements. Stopping to catch their breath just long enough to record their debut album ‘We Are Beauty’ in London with British producer David Kosten (Bat For Lashes and Chew Lips), the duo have now set their sights on conquering the UK.