Simon Balthazar of Fanfarlo. Photo by Michael Buckner, Getty Images
Out in the Gobi tent, Fanfarlo front man Simon Balthazar had a pink plastic flamingo with him onstage.
Much like a pond you’d typically see housing those birds, the London-based indie pop band’s music often has a tranquil quality. That vibe translated well during their charming early afternoon set.
Sporting a pink triangle shirt, he played sax, electric guitar, dueled with a trumpeter (“Walls Are Coming Down”); Cathy Lewis switched back and forth from violin to flowery keyboards and added heavenly backing vocals. It all was very Belle and Sebastian at times.
Balthazar’s Bryan Ferry-esque pipes on selections from the new effort “Rooms Filled with Light” – especially “Lenslife” – got a good response from the moderate, relaxed crowd.
Next up on the same stage was Parisian electronic rock duo Housse de Racket, which brought to mind fellow countrymen Phoenix, albeit with a denser sonic scope.
Singer/guitarist Victor Le Masue and drummer Pierre Lerouxt (both wearing matching white attire) even sang a couple songs in French. “Human Nature” and “Chateau” came across best.
Coachella 2012: Fanfarlo paints the stage pink is a post from: Soundcheck