A hypnotic swirl of brazen basslines, dreamy synths, and silky French vocals filled the Showbox SODO as L’Impératrice turned a rainy, snow-dusted Seattle night into a full-blown disco escape. From the first groove to the last encore, the Parisian six-piece had the crowd dancing like we were floating through a neon-lit dream.
For those unfamiliar with L’Impératrice, the Parisian sextet has mastered the art of groove, blending elements of disco, funk, and synth-pop into a sound that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. Their music is a seamless fusion of shimmering synths, tight basslines, and ethereal French vocals, evoking the carefree elegance of a night out in a city that never sleeps. Since their debut, they’ve cultivated a devoted following worldwide, drawing comparisons to acts like Daft Punk and Parcels while carving out a signature style that is unmistakably their own.
I’ve been a fan of their music ever since my French-American friend played them for me on a warm summer evening a couple of years ago. So, when the chance came to see them live, I was beyond excited.
In the days leading up to a show, I make it a point not to listen to the artist or look up anything about their performances—I want a clean palate for the experience. So I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered they had an opener, and even more thrilled when I realized it was none other than Erick the Architect, an artist I also love. By the time his set was over, the crowd was warmed up, throbbing with anticipation, ready for the French maestros to take the stage.
At first, I was slightly disappointed to learn that their lead singer had been replaced just before the tour. But Louve quickly won me over with her silken, pop-infused French vocals. The set started off mellow, yet undeniably groovy, with tracks like Cosmogonie and La Lune. But soon, they turned up the energy, sending the crowd into a frenzy with the infectious rhythms of Matahari and La Piscine. By the time they played my favorite song, Voodoo?, I was fully won over—dancing, swaying, and singing along.
An hour into their set, the show was nearing its end. But L’Impératrice had one last surprise for us. They played a song so groovy and high-energy that I genuinely feared the walls of the venue might come crashing down. Later, I found out it was an unreleased track, Entropia, set to drop in just a few days. The absolute highlight of the night? When they seamlessly mixed in the hook from Voodoo?—“Can I resist this?”—turning an already electrifying moment into pure magic.
Their live performances elevate their sonic magic even further—effortlessly tight yet brimming with spontaneity, turning every show into an invitation to dance. And on that rainy Seattle night at Showbox SODO, they did just that, transforming the venue into a kaleidoscope of rhythm and light.
