On the evening of October 28, Quantic Club in Bucharest transformed into an ethereal realm as Alcest took the stage, casting their signature blackgaze spell over the crowd. Hailing from the small town of Bagnols-sur-Cèze in southern France, Alcest has spent over two decades perfecting their distinctive blend of black metal and shoegaze, transporting audiences into a dreamlike world. Led by the enigmatic Stéphane “Neige” Paut and supported by Metalhead, this performance unfolded like a haunting dream, intertwining beauty and melancholy.
Alcest live in Quantic, 28.10.2024
© Metalhead
With flawless execution and an enchanting presence, Alcest delivered a show that left no room for longing; they provided everything you could wish for from a concert, making it both distinct and quintessentially theirs. The music was not just performed; it evoked profound emotions that went beyond words. As they promoted their latest album, “Les Chants de l’Aurore“, each note resonated deeply, creating an atmosphere of serenity and release that lingered in the hearts of the audience long after the final whispers faded.
Through Light and Shadow with Alcest
Opening their set with “Komorebi” Alcest instantly teleported the crowd into a tranquil, dreamlike atmosphere, the gentle strumming of the guitars and soft vocals evoking the song’s namesake—the Japanese word for sunlight filtering through trees. Neige’s delicate yet powerful voice filled the space with lyrics that spoke of inner rebirth and sacred introspection: “Ce matin d’avril affleurant/ Je me dois de renaître/ En une exaltante floraison/ Pour rencontrer mon âme”.
The ambient soundscape mirrored these sentiments, casting the audience into an emotional reverie as the music drifted through Quantic’s walls like a gentle breeze.
Stéphane “Neige” Paut
© Astrid Pichler
Next, Alcest moved into “L’Envol” a track that exudes an uplifting sense of freedom and release. The song began with a slow, careful buildup, each layer adding depth until it burst into powerful crescendos, giving the impression of a bird soaring through the open sky. The live performance deepened this sense of freedom, resonating with me even more profoundly on stage.
Alcest on stage, 28.10.2024
© Astrid Pichler
With “Améthyste” Alcest shifted into a richer, darker tone that wrapped the audience in introspective melodies. The haunting riffs cast a spell over Quantic, pulling listeners deeper into Alcest’s emotive world. That was the song of contemplation. The lyrics spoke of lost celestial beings stranded on Earth, forever longing for a deeper, otherworldly connection. Lines like “Corps éperdus, échoués sur Terre” and “Toujours su au fond de moi que j’venais de très loin” conveyed a yearning for origins beyond the earthly, resonating with the song’s contemplative feel. Why, indeed, this was a piece for looking inward, to question not only where we come from but the eternal essence within us all.
Bringing a burst of intensity, “Protection” introduced a grittier, more aggressive edge to the performance, drawing from the raw energy of their album “Spiritual Instinct“. The lyrics, “La nuit comme une toile/ Suspendue s’effondre” evoke an inner struggle, as if facing the overwhelming weight of darkness itself. Lines like “Et je me débats/ Contre les ombres” capture the fierce internal battle, with roaring vocals and intense riffs mirroring the defiance and resilience against life’s shadowed moments. The tune felt like an amplification of that struggle, intensifying the feeling of breaking free from the weight of these inner conflicts.
“Sapphire” continued the intensity with a touch of light, blending shimmering guitar lines with a melodic edge that contrasted beautifully with the previous track. The interplay of Neige’s heartfelt vocals and intricate guitar work created a tapestry of sounds that filled the room with warmth, balancing the mood with hints of brightness and hope. The crowd remained captivated, immersed in the lush soundscape.
And then… “Écailles de lune – Part 2” reverberated through Quantic. For long-time fans, “Écailles de lune pt. 2” was a cherished highlight. With its sweeping crescendos and evocative imagery, the track created a cinematic experience, as if the ebb and flow of ocean waves were captured in each note.
Following “Écailles de lune – Part 2”, the band maintained a balanced flow with “Flamme Jumelle“, “Le Miroir“, “Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde“, and “Oiseaux de Proie“. Each song brought a distinct shade to the performance—”Flamme Jumelle” with its haunting duality, “Le Miroir”‘s reflective depth, the nostalgic warmth of “Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde”, and the eerie tension in “Oiseaux de Proie”.
As the main set concluded, Alcest gifted the audience with “Autre Temps” a serene yet wistful piece that seemed to embody the evening’s spirit. And as if “Autre Temps” wasn’t powerful enough, “L’Adieu” followed, a song that encapsulates everything the band represents—ethereal beauty, melancholy, and emotional depth.
Alcest on stage, 28.10.2024
© Astrid Pichler
