Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene and Beyond

Last couple of days have been a nice trip.
Wednesday October 21st, I experienced an intense Jean-Michel Jarre concert as part of the - 30th anniversary of the - Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). Under the name "Oxygene and Beyond", Jarre served all 3500 people in AFAS Live (previously Heineken Music Hall, situated at the Amsterdam ArenA Boulevard) with his classic tracks (however, despite the announcement of the show suggested else, there were only played two tracks from the original 1976 album, which celebrates its 50th anniversary), alternated with his recent work, in slightly different mixes since the last concert I visited (Bratislava in 2024).
So was "Exit" performed for the first time completely instrumental, without Edward Snowden's spoken word, "Industrial Revolution part 2" was dedicated to recently passed electronic music artist Kavinsky (who often used this track at the start his own shows), and there was a guest appearance of the charming Adiescar Chase on keys and guitar (although she should have been on stage for more than just one track, given her valuable contribution to recent concert tour). The evening's highlight must have been "Stardust", which was finally performed together with Armin van Buuren on stage.

JMJ with special guest Armin van Buuren.

Musically and sound-wise it definitely was a brilliant show again, with not much at all to complain about! On top, before and after the show, the amount of other fans and friends I met were such a vibe, and gave a dito blast. Had a really great time again!

That was two days ago. Yesterday I decided not to go to Jarre's "Machines: A History of Electronic Music" book presentation at ABC Bookstore in Amsterdam. But today's afternoon there was a special "Oxygene" 50 years anniversary Dolby Atmos listening session at Martin Garrix' STMPD Studios, also in Amsterdam, for which a limited number of fans (about 15) were selected through a website form that could be filled in.
I wasn't one of the lucky invitees, so instead I decided to go there on good luck. And with success! Together with Niek and Marco, we were allowed to get in!

Listening session banner, with Niek.

First we got a welcome entrance at the lobby. Hereafter, everyone was guided to the Atmos studio environment, where we took take place at a seated spot. Then the Atmos concept and the playback of the actual Atmos mix was introduced by sound engineer David Kosten. David made the mix we got to hear (and of which the bluray will be sent in December to the people who pre-ordered it) in close collaboration with Jean Michel Jarre. We got an interactive Q&A, where a lot of very interesting details and background information about the project and the process were told. After an hour, the studio was darkened completely and we were immersed into the classical 40-minute masterpiece "Oxygene". Wow, that definitely was an amazing trip!

The album which I - amongst all other present listener - must have heard at least 100 times. Although the seasoned enthusiast in fact knows where all parts, sounds and bleeps are situated in the music piece, there were a couple of details in the new mix which I had never heard before. Simply because this Atmos mix was entirely reconstructed from the original 8 track recordings, and while the original album version was fully honoured, considerations had to be made to let it work in a mix different than regular 2.0 stereo.

With Joachim Garraud.

In any aspect this listening experience was a refreshing one. Music from 50 years ago, still sounding bright and clear today. Not a moment that I had the idea we were listening to something that was forced to be made as an over-the-top Atmos version and activate every loudspeaker for the project for obvious reasons. Instead, it completely served the goal to experience something that completely submerged the listener into this groundbreaking and timeless piece of music, more than could ever be experienced before. With this Atmos mix, "Oxygene" became even more tangible and concrete than ever before!

Afterwards we talked with David for quite a while, where he also confirmed this must have been his most ambitious project until date, and an absolute highlight so far. And he already achieved quite a lot in the past 2,5 decades. He was also responsible for the 50th anniversary Atmos mix of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells".

With Jean Michel Jarre.

After the listening session, we were sent out of the studios to make room for a second listening session for press and media. We stayed outside for a while with a couple of other fans, until Joachim Garraud showed up to get in. Which was one of the signs Jean Michel Jarre must have sneaked inside while we were absorbing musical oxygen. And yes, after a while (time went really fast, but it must have been around two hours later) he came out of the building, and although in a hurry, he took some time for autographs and photos, after which he left the studio's parking lot.

This marked the end of this week's trip, consisting of only good memories!
Now considering what I am going to do for next year's "Oxygene and Beyond" tour, where Jean Michel Jarre announced three concerts at the Gashouder in Amsterdam, on 6, 7 and 8 October 2027...

For obvious reason I would like to specially thank Marie-Laure, Jeanne, and BMG for organizing the listening session, as well as the kind lady who let us in (and who seemed to have remembered me from the concert entrance).