Watch Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter play his first DJ set in 16 years in Paris
Bangalter joined Fred Again.. on stage at Because Beaubourg.
Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter played a surprise DJ set at Paris’ Centre Pompidou on Saturday (October 25), making his first appearance behind the decks in 16 years. Bangalter, one half of the French dance duo alongside Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, joined fellows DJs Fred Again.., Erol Alkan, and Busy P as part of a 20th anniversary celebration for the record label Because Music.
In his short set at the 100% Ed Banger showcase, Bangalter dropped Daft Punk tracks “Rollin’ & Scratchin’,” “Digital Love,” and “Contact,” plus “Galvanize” by the Chemical Brothers and part of Jonny Greenwood’s score for the new Paul Thomas Anderson movie, One Battle After Another. Footage from the set can be found below.
“Thomas told me in this lift on the way down to the show that the first time he fell in love with electronic music was in this building in 1992,” Fred Again.. wrote on Instagram the morning after the celebrations ended. “He also told me hasn’t played a proper set without the mask on for 24 years. I didn’t know what to say to either of those things and I still don’t. All I said to him at the end is that I hope it isn’t 24 years til the next.”
Because Beaubourg took place at Paris' Centre Pompidou ahead of its temporary closure for renovation. Other artists who performed over the weekend included Christine and the Queens, Sebastien Tellier, Shygirl, and 2 Many DJs.
Daft Punk last appeared together alongside The Weeknd at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Bangalter released the solo album Mythologies in 2023 and has also ventured into film scores, producing the music fo movies including Daaaaaalí! by the French director Quentin Dupieux.