Insta-review: Justice at the Trocadero.

I never thought I’d find myself in any sort of situation where a large, glowing cross was the focus of a couple hundred sweaty teenagers’ rapt, adoring attention, but Sunday’s Trocadero performance by French electronic duo Justice felt like an evangelical Christian worship gathering turned ecstasy-fueled rave. Anyone who’s heard Justice’s album knows that it can inspire a good amount of dancing; still, I wasn’t expecting the crowd to go as crazy as they did. The throbbing beats of Justice’s music were matched by the pumping fists and gyrating hips of their fans, mostly 16-year-olds in skin-tight jeans hopped up on quickly-downed Red Bulls. I don’t have a ticket stub, but I do have the bruises to prove I was there: those 16-year-olds can get raucous. Picture last month’s Girl Talk show at the Starlight Ballroom with a little less chill and louder, angrier drums. Jesus tipping tables at the temple, so to speak.

Hearing Justice remix their songs, slowing some down and speeding others up, was worth putting up with a couple of elbowings, though. Their rendition of “We Are Your Friends” was the highlight of the evening, but I also enjoyed the cocktail they treated us to at the end: a mix of their very L.A. track “The Party” (which features vocals by Cobrasnake regular Uffie) and Metallica’s “Master of Puppets.” I wasn’t too crazy about the live “D.A.N.C.E.,” but perhaps that’s just because I’ve grown too fond of the song (and this video) to appreciate any tampering with it. I have to say, I was disappointed that they weren’t selling any “D.A.N.C.E.” T-shirts at the show… but, then again, maybe it’s better that they weren’t; otherwise, I’d be running into ten of them a day. Justice converted a lot of souls Sunday night. And as much as I’d like to say “Amen” to that, honestly, I don’t want them to become the next Daft Punk. That certain je nai sais quoi is always worth more when it’s not over-hyped.