An Intimate Evening with Eric Serra & RXRA Group (2024)

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH ERIC SERRA & RXRA GROUP
Music composed by Eric Serra
Bass: Eric Serra
Saxophone: Emile Parisien
Drums: Jon Grandcamp
Guitar: Paul Cépède
Percussion: Pierre Marcault
Piano: Thierry Eliez
Keyboards: Romain Berguin
March 29, 2024
Billboard Live Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan

PART 1: CONCERT REPORT

Any live Eric Serra concert is bound to have a variety of musical styles on display – at times it could be jazz fusion or instrumental synth pop, and at others it could be new-age or percussive ensemble music.

Regardless of your preferred musical style, one thing is certain: you’re guaranteed to have a fun night out with cool tunes and cool vibes from Eric Serra and his band, the RXRA Group.

Their highly entertaining set last night at BILLBOARD LIVE TOKYO showcased Serra’s greatest hits for the movies arranged for a small band consisting of electric guitar, bass, soprano sax, piano, two keyboards, synthesizers, drum kit and a small barrage of percussion instruments.

And by “arranged” I mean bent, twisted, and reinvented into something fresh and exciting, yet retaining recognizable elements from their original themes.

The evening’s program started with a striking suite of music from the film NIKITA. Dominated by electric guitar and soprano sax, it set an arresting mood for the evening.

The “Five Millennia Later” theme from THE FIFTH ELEMENT came next, with the main theme taken up by Emile Parisien on soprano sax. Parisien gave the melody a convincing sense of danger and mystery, and this was clearly embodied in his passionate and physical playing throughout this piece and others during the night.

We were then treated to a catchy piece described by Serra as a “homage to rabbits” from the 2008 Las Vegas production of CIRQUE DU SOLEIL. The piece ended with a gorgeous statement of the main theme by electric guitar and synthesized harp.

The JAMES BOND THEME came next with a blistering performance from Serra and his band. Beginning with a brief pre-recorded snippet from the original recording, the band then launched into one glorious riff after another of the iconic theme, pulling it through multiple moods, directions, and instruments. Thierry Eliez’s wild but masterfully controlled ad-lib of the theme on keyboard truly brought the house down.

Then came what we had all been waiting for: a grand and hypnotic performance of Serra’s legendary overture music from LE GRAND BLEU. Opening with percussion and soothing synth tones, the iconic dolphin calls then made their welcome entrance, transporting the audience deep into the ocean. Serra’s instantly recognizable bass line then appeared, giving way to the truly sublime sax melody and sending shivers through the audience.

After a unique interpretation of music from LEON, Serra stated that the next piece was a change from “LEON to AFRICA.” I don’t believe he actually stated what the music was written for (please contact me if you know!), but its epic percussion performance – involving every member of the band – really got the audience going. Starting with a virtuosic conga (?) performance by Pierre Marcault, each member of the band joined in one by one with their own percussion instrument to add to the glorious cacophony of sound. Serra then joined in on bass to deliver a wildly pleasing end to the piece. As the applause rang through the auditorium, Marcault was embraced by drummer Jon Grandcamp on stage. It was a touching moment and proof of the strong camaraderie of Serra and his band members.

The set concluded with the theme from ARTHUR ET LES MINIMOYS. Used to the arrangement for full orchestra on the soundtrack, this was a fresh and exciting take that made me appreciate the theme even more.

After taking their final bows and leaving the stage, Eric Serra and his band were beckoned back on stage for a final and energetic encore.

We all left deeply satisfied with that iconic overture from LE GRAND BLEU etched into our minds…

PART 2: AN INTIMATE VENUE WITH EXCELLENT SOUND

Having bought tickets as soon as they went on sale, I was able to get the best seats in the house: front row centre, a meter away from Serra.

This was a far cry from the first time I saw Serra when he played Tokyo (Bunkamura Orchard Hall) in 2016. I was seated in the 15th row from the front in a voluminous hall designed primarily for orchestral music.

What a huge difference in sound a small and intimate venue like Billboard Live Tokyo had! Not only could I see every instrument and how they were played, but I could also feel the music, especially the bass.

The improved sound and intimacy of the venue helped me realize how prominent the bass is in all of Serra’s scores (of course, he is a bassist after all!)

I also noticed something very interesting from where I was sitting in the front row: the midi foot controller in front of Serra.

He tapped on it with his foot when he wanted to play the iconic dolphin sounds in LE GRAND BLEU while simultaneously playing his bass, and he generally used it to produce sounds or effects that other instruments in the band could not produce naturally.

As a non-musician, I thought it was fascinating and really impressive to see Serra play multiple instruments at the same time through the wonders of technology. It certainly made me respect and appreciate Serra even more as a performer and composer.

PART 3: BRINGING THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN

Before the concert began, a lone young woman was seated next to me. I thought this was odd for two reasons: first, she was quite young. And second, she was on her own. Everyone else there was surely over 40 and/or with someone else.

At the end of the concert, one of my friends struck up a conversation with her and asked if it was her first time to a concert like this. She replied that it was. Surprised, my friend then asked why she had come to the concert. She shyly admitted that she loved LE GRAND BLEU and was introduced to it by her mother!

We all smiled as we continued to chat and unwittingly revealed that we were much older than her… 😊

PART 4: OVER TO YOU

Did you also go to this concert? How did you like it?

And what did you think of my report? Feel free to comment below or reach out to me directly in the “Contact Me” section.