The tribe gathered around the Olympia, ready to celebrate Tip Stevens on this 7th of November. An epic show and a blazing tribe: it’s unforgettable. Live report.
Here we are. After more than five years of hard work, tours all over France, and ten recorded EPs, five of them this year (the fifth, Condor (Chapter 2), is out in December), Tip Stevens is playing the Olympia. This legendary venue: he’s dreamt of it, talked about it all year, and it always seemed so far away. Yet on this 7th of November, it all becomes real, and his tribe has shown up in force. Some are handing out pink raccoon ears on headbands, others are giving away handmade crochet sweets (there were 500 of them!!), and it brings people together, makes everyone smile, and we’re more than happy to join in.
Just before the applause and the brandishing of our sweets, we welcome MDNS as the opening act. The lyrics are dark, the melodies irresistibly catchy, and the energy’s right up there. All in French, the young artist from Lille sings of hardships and the need, or not, to reconnect with the world. Touches of metal, a near-rapped flow, and strong 80s vibes reveal real potential and varied influences. A large part of the crowd is won over.
But it’s when the lights go down a second time that the audience truly erupts. And for good reason. The first notes are those of 00:14, already a powerful intro in the studio, downright devilish live. Guitar, bass, drums and cello are all in place. Mathis, Antho, Thibault, Prosper… Only Tip is missing… and we don’t wait for him long. A curtain of red light forms, fades, and there he is, standing atop a speaker, above his band, in a blinding white flash. The effect sends the crowd wild! An absolutely triumphant entrance for an emperor who can’t help bursting out laughing in disbelief. The Olympia is his tonight.
ACT 1 (GOING EVERY WHICH WAY)
No time to waste, Act I kicks off, and we dive straight into the fierce Knock Knock. Miracle rings out like a thank you, full of warmth and generosity. And it feels real, as tears well up on stage more than once. Mamba growls, It’s Not a Love Song sparks a few mosh pits, The Chemicals drifts into epic moments … And then comes the 8-bit magic with the legendary, satisfying, emotional Ordinary. Straight from the gut!
ACT 2 (WE APPLAUD IT)
This is the quieter part of the set. Once again, the heart speaks, deeply, beautifully. How could one not be moved by this version of Kalahari? In the crowd, phone lights twinkle like stars. Deeper follows with just as much emotional power, just as much honesty. Tip moves to the drums, Thibault, the drummer, picks up the guitar. It’s intense, visceral. And, as always, the lighting adds just the right touch of colour and atmosphere to make it breathtaking. To close Act II, there’s no question of dialling down the emotion, the stunning Ember takes care of that.
ACT 3 (THE STUPIDITY)
Right then, after all that emotion (spoiler: it’s not really over), time to go wild. The mood shifts completely. Up come the brilliantly fun F.T.L., the raw and feral Stay In Your Cage, and the cheeky Emperor. A powerful intro echoing the start of the show, and an impromptu crowd bath for Tip Stevens! Then Sugar Rush, and those 500 handmade crochet sweets (!), send the whole room into a frenzy. We give it everything, of course! We didn’t come all this way for nothing, that’s for sure!
THE END OF THE ROAD
But Tip Stevens doesn’t leave the Olympia stage on volcanic energy. No. First, he wants to make us cry, and after a few heartfelt words, he launches Rocket. Emotionally devastating. Nothing more needs to be said. After the final note, the band looks out at a sea of glowing “Merci!!” signs. Tears return. Deserved, sincere, inevitable. One last song helps us come back down: Condor. It marks the end of the road, the start of a well-earned and necessary break. Tip Stevens will be back on stage later. Let’s give him time. When he does, his band and his tribe will be there. And maybe, one day, a second Olympia, who knows?
EPILOGUE
Ah, yes. Hard to leave the venue when you’re swept into a giant conga line, full of smiles, laughter, and joy. Crowds like this one, there aren’t many. Thank you, tribe! If you’d like to join them, and see what Tip Stevens is up to during his break, head over to Twitch.
