April 24^th 1994, Aston University, Birmingham

The first Jarre day held in Britain was a great chance for Jarre's British and European fans to meet up and make new contacts and was a success. Around 90 people were present on the day, which lasted from 2.00 until about 6.30. The highlights of the day included a concert performed by Paul Moxon and Chris Morgan, stall holders selling various Jean Michel Jarre merchandise (Rendez-vous Records, Stephen Lee Toole and Joel's Sweatshop), a video show and free prize draw.

The first live music was at around 3pm which was played by Chris Morgan, who appeared in a loud red jacket, boots, dark glasses and black trousers with a white stripe down them! I wonder where the inspiration for that came from? The music was very competently played, especially for a 14 year old !

Fans were then treated to more live footage, this time on the giant video screen once again which displayed the best tracks from Mont St Michel and Versailles recorded live on camcorders, along with tracks which were sadly missing from the official Paris La Defense video. The footage shown on the video screen was rare and in many cases had never been seen on TV and is not available through any sources.

The climax of the day was to be Paul Moxon's live performance of selected Jarre tracks specially remixed for the event. During the countdown, smoke poured from behind the stage, with lights sweeping around and giant numbers appearing on the video screen. As the heartbeat faded and Chronologie 1 was played, a new drumbeat was added to the track with great effect, making the already excellent track more upbeat and an excellent introduction to the show.

A techno version of Revolutions was to follow with samples by Howard Knowelden. The giant screen flashed the words up on-screen with the music, as psychedelic fractals danced in the background. Chronologie 2 followed, a definite crowd favourite.

Oxygene 4 followed which brought new sequences into the much-remixed track but still loved by many. Equinoxe 4 followed with footage from moon visits beamed on-screen with the music, drawing on influences from the latest version played at the Europe in Concert gigs. Chronologie 3 followed, but without Rondat's stunning guitar solo, as pictures of Jarre morphed on screen.

What originally sounded like a brand new track soon metamorphosised itself into Magnetic Fields 2. A definite crowd pleaser and a good finish to the first half. Louise Millward was miked up ready for Ron's Piece, which played with a dark starry backdrop as the stunning sound of the saxaphone echoed throughout the hall. The definite highlight of the day.

Paul played on through Jarre's repertoire with Chronologie 6 sounding thankfully nothing like the Gat Decor/Slam mixes! Magnetic Fields 1 drew inspiration from the Lyon concert version. Jarre's foot-stomper Rendez-vous 4 hit Birmingham, which then morphed into Equinoxe 5 with a sampled thunder storm, as another Jarre favourite blasts through the amp. Introduced as the last song, Chronologie 4 was probably closer to the dance mixes than the original, and Swatches could be heard from the crowd, doing their best to play in time with the track !

As the band and crew are introduced, the funky beat of Chronologie 8 plays on, band samples are interweaved with the main theme, and the crowd bid good night. After teasing them with the opening to Calypso sampled from the CD, a slow sweeping number fades in marking the start of the encore. This slowly increasing in velocity until Jarre's most danceable track jumps out at the crowd and psychedelic graphics dance to the music. Final thank yous are bid, and the weary fans bid a good night, and safe journey home.

Personally, I think the event went well. What I set out to achieve which was originally just to get a meeting of Jarre fans together went from strength to strength, though many things which should have happened didn't due to many technical problems. However, for RV 95..

Click here for the list of credits from Rendez-vous Birmingham

Event listing: