La Femme a conquis Chicago avec passion et panache.
Who knew theatrical chaos would create a night of pure musical magic?
taken by Steve Sym.
For those of you who don’t speak French, La Femme conquered Chicago with passion and panache! They are a six-member French band from Paris and Biarritz that have charmed audiences since their formation in 2010. Known for their psych-punk roots, they later embraced techno, creating a sound often described as synthetic, hypnotic, and utterly unique. La Femme was one of the first French bands that truly inspired me, and their genre-blending sound carried me through the chaos of high school. I discovered them through my older brother. He came with me to this concert which made it a surreal, full-circle moment. Sharing an artist we both adore has always been special, but seeing them live together added a whole new layer of connection. I couldn’t wait to see how their hypnotic music would come to life on stage, and the anticipation made the night even more personal and unforgettable. Honestly, Thalia Hall felt less like a concert venue that night and more like a portal into La Femme’s avant-garde dreamscape. This venue used to be an opera house, and La Femme is well-known for their theatrical performances—ironic, isn’t it?
Everyone was curious about La Femme's obscure opener, Sam Quealy. She isn’t a household name yet, and that needs to change. She is an Australian techno-pop artist who brought an electrifying energy that captivated the audience from the moment the music started. Her music is a bold fusion of techno-pop with a punk edge, and her performance felt fresh and unapologetically experimental. The intensity was so high, and though the crowd was initially unsure, they were quickly drawn in. Cheers grew louder with every spontaneous split and iconic pose, and by the end, the room was dancing and completely in sync with her rhythm. Though techno-pop isn’t typically my style, her spirited delivery completely changed my perspective. Quealy’s set wasn’t just a warm-up. It was a crucial part of the show, and the perfect choice to set the stage for La Femme. With the crowd pumped and Sam Quealy’s name imprinted in their minds, it was time for the main event.
Michelle Blaes encouraging the audience to mosh; taken by Steve Sym.
The setlist was everything a La Femme diehard could hope for. They featured two or three tracks from each album, and while some songs had clashing vibes, they collectively reflected the band’s eclectic musical journey. True to their unpredictable style, there wasn’t any strict order to the setlist. They struck a great balance between their different sounds, shifting effortlessly between techno-heavy tracks, laid-back chill songs, and gritty rock anthems. Their music blends French, Spanish, and English lyrics all while defying genre, which creates a kaleidoscopic style that feels both futuristic and nostalgic. Their choices from the new album, Rock Machine, were especially striking. The high-energy rock anthem “Clover Paradise” had the entire crowd headbanging.
Whereas, “I Believe in Rock n Roll” felt like a religious rock scripture, delivered with such fervor that the audience seemed hypnotized, hanging onto every word. It felt almost cult-like. It’s this boldness and range that make a La Femme concert an immersive experience, a portal into their one-of-a-kind world.
What made the night even more unique was the diversity of the audience. With most of the performers in their early thirties, the crowd was in the same age range, but the mix was surprising. Younger fans moshed alongside older ones, and when I say older, I mean eighty-year-olds. It was a testament to La Femme’s ability to transcend generational boundaries—an undertaking amplified by their linguistic and stylistic range.
the iconic crowd surf during “I Believe in Rock n Roll”; taken by Steve Sym.
The theatricality of their performance extended beyond their music, particularly in how the band embraced their personas. Sam Lefèvre, their bassist, delivered a standout moment that blurred the line between performance and catharsis. His character had an interesting transformation. He started very calm and collected, uninterested even, and as the music progressed you could see the music control him more and more. When the band played “I Believe in Rock n Roll,” Lefèvre’s energy spiked into a seizure-like frenzy during the guitar solo and a euphoric crowd-surfing moment, consumed by the very essence of rock ‘n’ roll. It was chaotic, raw, and mesmerizing, perfectly aligned with the band’s avant-garde ethos. Another standout persona in the band was Michelle Blaes, whose boundless energy lit up the stage. Though she just joined La Femme for this tour, she was in constant motion from start to finish—dancing, interacting with her bandmates, and exuding an infectious enthusiasm that swept through the crowd. While high energy might be expected from any performer, Blaes took it to another level. With her wild, wide-eyed expressions, playful movements, and even initiating a mosh pit, she brought charisma that made her impossible to look away from.
La Femme’s performance was a masterful blend of chaos, theatricality, and raw talent. Their ability to seamlessly weave together an unpredictable setlist, bold personas, and a treasure trove of sounds left the crowd in awe. By the end of the night, one thing was clear: La Femme doesn’t just play music. They create worlds, and for a few unforgettable hours, we were lucky enough to live in theirs.
edited by Kristen Wallace.
photos by Steve Sym (@stevesymphotography on Instagram).