Concert: Spero Lucem (Somaticae + Mondkopf + Saåad) / THISQUIETARMY @St Merri church, Paris

For the second year in a row, Mondkopf was performing alongside other artists in the St Merri church, in the center of Paris. I remember last year's concert as one of the best of the year, no doubt. Math couldn't make it then, but luckily he got a second chance this year.





I am as godless as they come, but I have profound respect for people's faith (any flavour) and I've always found churches to be awe-inspiring. When I attended the concert last year, I believe it was the first time I ever stepped in a church at nighttime. Breathtaking. I've wanted to take the photo just above for a year. The light coming through the stained glass is just wonderful.

 

The crowd was a mixed lot. Some were really into drone, some really skeptical. The first set, by THISQUIETARMY was a mesmerizing one man-produced, guitar-based wave of cold and dark waves. 





Spero Lucem is a French ambient supergroup, uniting Somaticae, Saåad and Mondkopf (who you heard me talk about enough, I think). I don't know if they're planing on releasing a record together. I believe this was their first show together, and they're planning on playing in a chapel in Brittany in a month. The haunting and hypnotic atmosphere they created together felt at the same time distressing (it was hard not to think of the recent shootings in Paris when they used the sound of an air raid alarm) and respectful and spiritual. It's like they acknowledged through their music that they were playing in a church. Hard to describe. 

Unfortunately the stage wasn't set under the organ this time (I only have an instagram photo of it, Le Sigh) but right on the altar, so Jesus makes a cameo appearance on the wide shots. :)

Have a look at my gallery, as I haven't posted all the photos here.