Revellers at Paris’s Centre Pompidou were left gobsmacked on Saturday night after a surprise appearance from electronic music royalty. Thomas Bangalter, one half of the legendary and now-disbanded duo Daft Punk, took to the decks for his first public DJ performance in 15 years.
The historic moment unfolded during the ‘Because Beaubourg’ festival, a massive event celebrating the 20th anniversary of independent label Because Music.
During the ‘100% Ed Banger Records’ portion of the night, label boss Pedro Winter and DJ Erol Alkan were performing a back-to-back set. The excitement was already high when they invited global superstar Fred again.. to join them.
However, the crowd erupted when Bangalter himself appeared on stage, joining the group for an unexpected collaboration that instantly became a defining moment for French electronic music.
The surprise set was the crowning moment of the two-day ‘Because Beaubourg’ festival, which also marked the launch of the Centre Pompidou’s five-year renovation project.
The festival, which attracted a total of 40,000 visitors, transformed the museum with 82 artists, immersive experiences, and performances. Highlights included sets from Christine and the Queens, Sebastien Tellier, and 2 Many DJs, though Bangalter’s unanticipated return to the decks was undoubtedly the night’s biggest story.