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MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND – Boogy music producer Nile Rodgers “Freaked Out” the Montreux Jazz Festival last night, 13 July, with an evening of disco and dance music talent at Stravinsky Hall.

Last night’s call to booty was met by a fired up Montreux audience ready to shake it.

Nile Rodgers and Chic hold up Stravinsky Hall-Photo, MJF©Lionel Flusin

The closing night party line-up included performances by dance and techno hit makers Tavares (“Heaven Must be Missing an Angel”), Martha Wash (“It’s Rainin’ Men”), Taylor Dayne (“Tell it to My Heart”), Alison Moyet (Yazoo, ALF), and Grace Jones, in addition to Rodgers’ band Chic.

Chic at Stravinsky Hall, MJF

Regardless of what you may think of disco, it is the great dance equalizer, and for that I love it – I saw men, (straight, white men) in golf cardigans doing the Bow-Wow on their knees last night in Stravinsky Hall.

And Alison Moyet, what to say.

Her voice helped fuel my teenage and young adult angst and I was cherishing the chance to relive those awful, tender moments last night. But just before she was to come on, I remembered The Ting Tings show downstairs at Miles Davis Hall, and the evening took a sharp turn.

If you like witty, in your face lyrics coupled with heavy percussion, quirky guitar riffs and tons of stage presence, then The Ting Tings are just what the doctor ordered.

This British power pop duet that caught our ear with “That’s Not My Name,” creates an amazing wall of unpredictable sound that is as sharp in its wit as it is bludgeoning in force – “I’m gonna get it right, gonna paint my face like the Guggenheim…”

Filtered through British accents thicker than cheddar and lead singer Katie White’s school girl pitch – Toni Basil on Meth – the band conjures the early Beasties hip-hop fury. Their slow groove “Get Me Down Sonny” had the crowd gyrating and was a testament to their hip-hop and soul credentials (if any were needed).

Experiencing this band’s energy and charisma alone is worth the price of admission. But they run deep and they are as fun to dance to as shout with. I couldn’t have asked for a kinder farewell to the 46th MJF.

See other MJF reviews on GenevaLunch.

The Ting Tings at Montreux

[youtube]http://youtu.be/mf5Mk-6pvuw[/youtube]

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