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Indochine (band)

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Indochine is a prominent French rock and new wave band.

Concert d'Indochine, Paradize Tour (2003, Yzeure)
Concert d'Indochine, Paradize Tour (2003, Yzeure)

They are recognized for their massive commercial success and stylistic evolution. Since their formation, the group has sold over 10 million albums and singles globally. Their music has spanned several decades and various musical genres. They have moved from early new wave sounds to darker, more introspective tones. This ability to change has helped them maintain a dedicated global following.

Creating the Indochine sound involves a variety of musical roles and instruments. Nicola Sirkis serves as the lead vocalist and also plays guitars, synthesizers, and the harmonica. The band's instrumentation has included the bass guitar, drums, keyboards, and the saxophone. Different members have contributed to the group's texture over the years. For example, Dimitri Bodiansky provided saxophone during the band's early years. More recently, members like oLi dE SaT have contributed keyboards and guitars. This combination of electronic and traditional rock elements defines their sound.

The band's history began in Paris in 1981. Nicola Sirkis and Dominique Nicolas founded the group in their early twenties. They were soon joined by Dimitri Bodiansky. The group performed their first concert at a Paris café called Le Rose Bonbon on 29 September 1981. This performance led to their first record contract. Shortly after, Stéphane Sirkis, the twin brother of Nicola, officially joined the lineup. In April 1982, they recorded their debut album, L'Aventurier. This album sold more than 250,000 copies and established them as a major force in French music.

Throughout the 1980s, Indochine achieved international recognition. In 1983, their single "L'Aventurier" became a major summer hit in France. Their second album, Le Péril Jaune, sold 225,000 copies that same year. By 1984, the band was touring France and seeing success in Scandinavia. In Sweden, their singles "Kao Bang" and "Canary Bay" reached the top 10 on sales and radio charts. In 1985, their third album, 3, sold 750,000 copies across Europe. During this era, they became the largest new wave band in France.

Indochine also built a significant following in Latin America. In 1986, their single "L'Aventurier" gained popularity in Lima, Peru, via radio broadcasts. This led to a tour in 1988 where the band performed four shows at the Coliseo Amauta. These performances reached a total audience of over 40,000 people. During this Peruvian tour, the band sold approximately 400,000 recordings. This period also saw the release of a documentary film about their travels in Europe, Canada, and Peru.

The band experienced several periods of transition and difficulty. In 1989, Dimitri Bodiansky left the group due to the evolving musical direction and personal reasons. In 1991, the release of their best-of compilation, Le Birthday Album, sold 600,000 copies in Europe. However, the single "La Guerre Est Finie" faced radio restrictions due to the start of the Persian Gulf War. In 1999, the band suffered the loss of guitarist Stéphane Sirkis, who died at age 39 from hepatitis. Following his request, the band continued their career.

A major resurgence occurred in the 2000s with the release of the album Paradize in 2002. This album sold 1,000,000 copies and featured the hit "J'ai demandé à la lune." The music shifted toward a darker aesthetic influenced by acts like Nine Inch Nails and Placebo. This era brought several awards, including the MTV Europe Music Award for Best French Act. In 2010, the band became the first French group to perform at the Stade de France. Their concert there was sold out and attended by 80,000 people.

In more recent years, Indochine has continued to explore diverse musical themes. Their 2013 album, Black City Parade, used brighter music despite its gloomy cover art. The single "College Boy" featured a music video directed by Xavier Dolan that addressed the topic of school harassment. The band also participated in social causes, such as the Reporters Sans Frontières campaign in 2008. They celebrated 40 years of their career with the Central Tour in 2021. Most recently, they released their 14th album, Babel Babel, in September 2024.

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