(Photo Credit: Michael La Torre)
I got a chance to preview Iggy Pop’s Live At Montreaux Jazz Festival 2023 recording and I’ll be reviewing it here for you. The CD is packaged with a Blu-ray version that has some extra goodies, too, so I’ll give some reactions on that here, too! That bonus material includes the “soundscapes” of Sarah Lipstate playing her guitar with a violin bow in the opener, Rune, and it really sets the mood like a psychedelic scene from a Jim Jarmusch film.
Iggy wastes no time getting irreverent, though, jumping into a deep cut, "Five Foot One", right off the bat. Building off that, new songs like "Modern Day Ripoff" really electrify and embody Iggy’s energy, while fitting seamlessly in with older mainstays. Iggy gets moody, too, on tracks like "Gimmie Danger", "Endless Sea", and "Sick of You", reminding us that his status as a frontman for the ages is well deserved.
The balance of punk attitude and catchy riffs, backed by jazz improvisation, highlights Iggy’s eternally iconic eccentricity and he still brings it for the entirety of this show. The supporting cast for this performance really bring the jam too and their synth stylings, percussion work, and horn and guitar harmonies around Iggy’s crackling voice feel like an entire orchestra showed up for the event.
Iggy only ever seems his age when he lets the crowd do some of the work, like in the call and response “la, la, las” of "The Passenger", but this is easily forgotten when, in moments of timelessness that only Iggy can muster, he further involves the crowd by pulling a young boy up on stage to help him sing the chorus of "Lust for Life", or when the crowd can’t get enough of him as they chant the titular chorus to "I Wanna Be Your Dog".
Iggy Pop remains one of the most listenable artists to ever give a constant “F You” to the mainstream and his embodiment of the spirit of alternative rock makes this performance feel like you got away with a crime just by getting to join in on the fun. Watching him get the crowd pumped up and hearing them fully invested with hoots, whistles, and purely joyous screams reminds us all that the scope of his oeuvre continues to delight while simultaneously giving a giant middle finger to the notion that he’s ever going to slow down.
In fact, Jim Jarmusch would be well advised to invite Iggy to join him again if he ever makes another vampire flick. Iggy is indeed eternal and Montreaux Jazz Festival, with its undeniable history and popularity, is the perfect venue to showcase his ever-shirtless vitality!
Speaking of film work, the videographers for the Blu-ray version of the show that accompanies the album really did an amazing job capturing the connection Iggy has with the crowd; they mix some directly overhead shots that capture the crowd excitement well with some low-line shots that peer just over the thrall at the madman leading the riot. When Iggy gets down in front of the barricade during "Death Trip", you get the sense you’re in the pit with him. The over-the-shoulder shots of the crowd, like at the beginning of "Search and Destroy", remind you just how much Iggy loves the crowd right back.
Rating - 5/5 - This live album and the quality cinematic work on the Blu-ray video version had me grinning from ear to ear throughout the performance. If you forgot how much you love Iggy Pop, this album will waste no time reminding you.
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