Music

Brigitte Bardot, the heroine of the sulphurous "And God Created Woman" (Roger Vadim in 1956) and now a recluse in her vast property in La Madrague (Saint Tropez), has long waged a solitary battle in defense of animal welfare. Despite the aura around her, people in intellectual circles laughed at some of her very right-wing views as well as her clear-cut positions concerning animal welfare.

Much more to her left and – apparently – a supporter of Kamala Harris, the American singer Moby has also taken up the cause of the animal kingdom. On tour in Europe, the activist for vegetarianism, like Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders), asked that no hamburgers be sold at his concerts. If we go by the familiar smell in the stands of the Sportpaleis in Antwerp (Belgium) this Saturday, September 21, we doubt that his plea had been heard. But we didn't stop at these temples of junk food...

Better still, as Moby has a lot of ideas, he recently declared at the end of a concert in Manchester - tackling the Gallagher brothers in passing - that he would donate all the profits of these European shows to associations defending the animal cause. In other words, and unlike Oasis, he is not going back on stage to line his pockets!

25th anniversary of the album "Play"

So what about the music? We also came to celebrate with him the 25th anniversary of the mythical album "Play" as well as the return to the stage after 13 years of an artist who says he hates travel and notably air travel. In a little more than twenty songs, dipping widely into his discography, the champion of electronic music turned out to be a real band leader.

And one that is perfectly willing to share the spotlight. Guitar, drums, violins and two backup singers brought an unexpected dressing to the memorable gimmicks that are his trademark. Moby himself twirled from one end of the stage to the other, swapping for example congas ("Go") for a guitar ("Bodyrock").

A true gentleman, he even had the elegance to fade behind Lady Blackbird (what a voice!) for "Walk With Me" and the iconic "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?". At the end of a concert of nearly two hours, he delivered the coup de grace with "Thousand", one of the most difficult pieces in his repertoire. Moby is not faint-hearted...

Moby still has date in Paris and Switzerland

(AK/ML - Photo : Tanja De Prins / Music Belgium Photos)
Photo : Moby on the stage of the Sportpaleis in Antwerp (Belgium) on Saturday, September 21, 2024 (Tanja De Prins)

September 24 – Paris, France / Le Zenith (SOLD OUT)
September 25 – Lausanne, Switzerland / Vaudoise Aréna