Jamiroquai, or let’s be honest, Jay Kay, the lead singer and only-commonly-known member of the 10-piece, now 25-year-old UK acid jazz band, loves the sound of his own voice. But then, with confirmed “huge fans” in the likes of Pharrell, Chance the Rapper, Anderson .Paak, even Stevie Wonder for funk’s sake - wouldn’t you?

No one doubts that the man from Lancs in the furry hats can sing, or perhaps even that he has the best soul voice of his now 40-something generation. But the funniest thing happened in the office when I mentioned that I was dashing off to Paris to catch his first gig in seven years. He entirely divided opinion. On the one side, the men of a similar age bracket to Jay himself reacted with either bared teeth, outright abuse or a judgmental, amused raised eyebrow. The younger kids, meanwhile, those who wouldn’t have been buying, let along streaming music in the era of ‘Space Cowboy’, countered with nothing but envious wonder.

Recent ticket sales for his London Roundhouse and two O2 gigs reflect the latter enthusiasm – with all selling out in no more than a minute. And, on this Tuesday night in March, the Salle Pleyel in Paris, setting of Jay Kay’s warm-up pre-UK gig, is similarly packed out with this starry-eyed set of super fans - eager to give the band a standing ovation, rousing Mexican-wave-style clap or general squeal any time he flexes any body part in what could be interpreted as a dance-like move. And this is in Paris, did I mention - not a city renowned for having the most forgiving cultural critics.

© Charlie Grey

Following a set from kudos-lending French house DJ Fred Falke as support act, Jamiroquai open with new tracks ‘Shake it On’ and 'Automaton' from upcoming album, also named Automaton (out on Friday 31 March 2017), before swiftly moving back through pitch-perfect renditions of 1994’s ‘The Kids’ and ‘Space Cowboy’. Only after the fourth track does Jay speak. “I can do this shit!” he announces, followed by his canned-sounding signature chortle.

Jay delves deeper into his back catalogue, as well as through the colours and settings available on his LED headgear, which seems to have its own personality - especially at one moment, when the batteries fail, and it goes on a very geographically appropriate strike. His confidence continues to grow and grow, given away by the way he incrementally stretches his dance legs in front of a crowd again – and goes on to chime: “I haven’t f***ing died yet! Ha ha ha!”

Highlights of the two-and-half-hour set list include the very timely-seeming 1993 ‘Emergency on Planet Earth’, now performed with a Daft Punk-esque beefier bass, as well as new track ‘Hot Property’ and encore, the 1999 ‘Supersonic’ – which couldn’t possibly have a more nineties name. ‘Virtual Insanity’, however, arguably the band’s most well-known track, doesn’t make its way on stage.

“I haven’t f***ing died yet! Ha ha ha!”

Like seeing an ex after they’ve just finished an intensive low-carb diet and HIIT regime, tonight’s gig reminded any one that doubted it that Jay Kay has a son-of-a-bitch soul voice and feet as nimble as a cat’s on bubbling tar, plus new material that could actually make its way somewhere near your Sonos favourites list.

Somewhat unnervingly, the day before the show I’m reminded that I was actually at his last gig in Dubai – perhaps the last show before this one, though all I recall from it is that a not-very-close mate ended up kissing a slightly odd physio friend of a friend, which is rather telling. It seems both Jamiroquai and his fans have benefited from a time out.

Oh – and apparently Jay Kay flew his own helicopter back home to the UK immediately after the gig. Love him or hate him, the man has chops.

The Salle Pleyel, Paris show setlist: 28 March 2017

1 Shake it On - Little L 2 Automaton 3 The Kids - Dr. Buzz 4 Space Cowboy 5 Superfresh 6 White Knuckle – Cosmic 7 Corner of the Earth 8 Morning Glory 9 Mr Moon 10 Cloud 9 11 Something about You 12 Emergency 13 Runaway 14 Hot Property 15 Carla 16 Canned Heat– Lovefool

1 Supersonic

Buy Jamiroquai tour 2017 tickets or the new album, Automaton

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