French quartet Juniore are back touring Europe this year and I knew that I could not miss their show this time. Having previously played at The Mono in Glasgow in 2018, they were now at The Stereo, which they affectionately called “The Mono’s older sister” on stage.
Juniore formed in Paris in 2013 as a duo, before expanding into a quartet. The band’s music can be described as “voodoo pop” that takes inspiration from the 1960s. It’s led by singer/songwriter Anna Jean while Samy Osta, the other original member, performs on both guitar and keyboard as a “magician”, adding a “supernatural” element to the band that they’re very fond of. They were joined by the talented Swanny Elzingre on drums, turning the band into a trio for the night.
The Stereo is one of Glasgow’s most well-known music venues and its size underneath the vegan cafe means that there is plenty of space for a large audience, which Juniore definitely attracted on the night. A few quick smoke tests on the stage take place and it’s showtime.
Juniore had the audience under their spell as soon as the first song finished. Throughout the night they took small breaks in between songs to entertain the audience in various ways, including teaching them French. It was clear that all the band members were having a blast on stage, which in turn maximised the audience’s own enjoyment of the gig. Before Je Fais Le Mort started playing, Anna Jean encouraged the audience to slow dance to it, and some of the front row happily obliged.
The band played some of their true classics, such as Marabout (slightly altered for their live performance) which the crowd adored, and really got people dancing. Other beloved songs included Christine, Animal, and the newly released Ah Bah D’accord.
Anna Jeans’s dreamy vocals, combined with Osta’s mystical presence and Elzingre’s enchanting energy had the crowd aptly bewitched as they played Panique, L’accident, and Magnifique. Osta’s title of “magician” for this show fit perfectly with the swift way in which he played the guitar: his fingers move so quickly that, along with the smoke and lighting, he seems to take on superhuman qualities. Halfway through, Anna and Samy exchanged instruments, both displaying just how versatile they are.
They did not perform an encore, as they let the audience know in advance of their last song, but it gave everyone the chance to appreciate the ending of the gig even more. The lights turned darker and flashier for the finale, the performance ending on a high note. Juniore truly managed to build an otherworldly atmosphere and turned The Stereo into a Parisian music venue for the night.
Photography and Live Review by Federica La Marca of Juniore at The Stereo on 6th May 2019.