www.blogotheque.net

The French just do it so much better than everyone else. La Blogtheque is a blog. The Take-Away Show is a segment on this blog in which bands are filmed performing in places you wouldn't usually expect, often using limited or makeshift instruments. Probably most famously, they got Arcade Fire to perform Neon Bible in an elevator. This may be easy for some bands, but with a 10 person lineup it becomes a little more difficult. There have been over 100 Take-Away Shows with guests such as Jose Gonzalez, Architecture in Helsinki, The Wombats, Dappled Cities, Vampire Weekend, Jason Mraz and Cold War Kids.

For me, these little videos provide me with three things. (a) A chance to see the music I love performed in a totally unique atmosphere, with beautiful cinematography, (b) Introduction to music that I haven't heard, (c) An avenue through which to make a judgement on an artist as being talented or not. The first two are self explanatory. The last may not be. Simply check out Sebastian Tellier's Take-Away Show and see for yourself. Solid artists like Dappled Cities and Bon Iver thrive in these intimate settings as expected. Some, such as The Kooks manage to overwhelmingly exceed expectations and show that they are not a one-hit-wonder pop band. Whilst others, like Mr. Tellier himself, fall massively short without their usual array of instruments and production layering to hide behind. Call it drugs if you will, but he stunk.

On the other hand, the talent of Bon Iver is clearly on show as they perform For Emma, Forever Ago in the lobby of an apartment block. I'll be honest. I have always thought of Bon Iver as just one guy-Justin Vernon. But as the show highlights, it really has become more of a band. Watch and enjoy. And then explore the rest of what the Take-Away Show has to offer.