Tonight's Concert Pick
Phoenix rising: French group nabbing America's women & awards
Not since Napoleon, fries and toast has there been a French import with as much sway on American pop culture as Versailles-born, Phoenix.
The twinkling notes of "Lisztomania" have been used to sell cars, while the hopelessly catchy loop of "1901," has also moved a Cadillac or two. "1901" served as the theme song for the 2009 movie, New York, I Love You and the revamped Melrose Place. (We're giving Phoenix the benefit of the doubt when calling the Melrose gig a good thing. A royalty check, after all, is a royalty check.)
Now that they have conquered American capitalism, Phoenix has now moved on to swiping the United States' most prestigious awards and its beautiful women. Lead singer Thomas Mars has a child with indie filmmaker Sofia Coppola, his girlfriend (the group is writing some music for Coppola's latest movie as they did for Coppola's breakout film Lost In Translation).
Phoenix's year-old indie masterpiece, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix", nabbed the best alternative music album Grammy earlier this year.
All in all it's been quite a coup. (Yes history fans, the pun was intended.)
Phoenix, 8 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Theater
Tickets: $27.50