Last Train at Bikini: A Definite Return to The Roots
- Feb 14
- 3 min read
When your travels take you to Toulouse for a few days and Last Train has a show scheduled at the famous Bikini, what else can you do but go?
The French band’s concerts are always highly anticipated and imbued with a punk vibe that’s sorely missing from today’s rock scene. Joined by Wheobe, the French band was about to rock the Bikini to the dancing feet of an eager crowd.
photos : @bisiot.photos
At 8 p.m. sharp, the lights go out, and the already packed venue falls into a silence, waiting to be broken by the first notes of the evening. Spotlights bathe the stage in deep red as the first guitar riff rings out. Each instrument joins in, until the singer -who seems tormented- takes the stage, his hoarse voice spitting out the lyrics like a therapy session open to the audience, accompanied by gestures that speak of an emotional exorcism. For 40 minutes, the band takes the time to reveal itself before our eyes and show us various facets of their world, drawing us into its depths. From moments of calm to surges of raw rage, we experience a range of atmospheres as well as diverse techniques, culminating in the guitarist using a coat hanger as a bow for his instrument.
The band certainly succeeded in their mission to warm up the crowd for the headliner, but they also managed to win over a large number of the quartet’s fans, promising a spectacular launch for their first new album, scheduled for release in April. Blending industrial and experimental rock with a grunge vibe the likes of which we don’t see anymore, this is undoubtedly a band that deserves your full attention.
photos : @bisiot.photos
The next act of the evening was Last Train: a band with a lot of promise that never disappoints. At 9 p.m. sharp, the lights went out, leaving only a thin mist to illuminate the musicians’ footsteps on stage. To my surprise, there were no screams when they arrived, but I think the venue was packed with fans who already knew what to expect and how the night was going to start.
Jean-Noël takes his place behind the mic stand, guitar slung over his shoulder, and the first notes of Home ring out like a heartbeat, the lights flashing with each explosive riff that builds the tension of this opening act. Until the breaking point, when the crowd is already pogoing and dancing wildly.
Last Train’s shows are always polished and well-crafted, featuring recurring elements and performances that meet expectations while still leaving room for a certain spontaneity that highlights their joy in performing and savoring the moment. From the frontman’s famous signature guitar solo (a fan favorite) to the unexpected interactions that bring smiles to the whole band, we were treated to a show that was as tightly executed as it was surprising. The band demonstrates impressive professionalism when it comes to their technique; another flawless performance. And even if that wasn’t the case (my apologies - to err is human), it certainly didn’t show. And for that, I think we can also extend our thanks and support to their tour crew, who always do a remarkable job!
Antoine, Julien, Timothée, and Jean-Noel know how to give the audience as many emotions as there are heavy riffs to go wild to, and that’s exactly what the crowd was there for. It was a true exchange between artists and fans, wild right through the night. And when I say “until the end of the night,” I obviously mean that the quartet came to greet the audience at the merch stand in the Bikini’s patio after their set. Smiles, photos, and autographs were on the agenda, much to the delight of both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Once again, we can applaud Last Train’s efficiency and infectious energy on stage, proving once more their strength and the reasons for their rise on the French rock scene, as well as their good taste in choosing Wheobe as the opening act, a coherent, interesting choice that introduces us to a band with a bright future.
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