French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre has announced that he will release a limited edition live album from his performance at Versailles on performance on Christmas Day December 25, 2023.
Jarre appeared at the Hall of Mirrors within the Château de Versailles for VERSAILLES 400, a unique concert as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site's 400th anniversary celebrations.
Versailles 400 is described as a 'phygital' release, a combination of physical and digital product. The new album is available as both a double LP vinyl package, and a CD package, each will be accompanied by exclusive digital content which is only accessible to owners of the physical product.
For this first ever electronic music concert within the Château de Versailles, the hour-long set Jarre performed presented brand new productions of material from his latest album releases including Oxymore and the Grammy-nominated Electronica alongside favourites from his extensive back catalogue.
"I designed the visuals for the Versailles 400 concert using artificial intelligence to create a graphic universe that merges the visual context of the 17th century with a world of robots, kinetic structures, Op art, sets, and creatures inspired by imaginary futuristic fairy tales, endlessly reflecting in the virtual mirrors of the Hall of Mirrors," Jarre explains.
Digital bonus content includes a special greeting by Jarre's Avatar, an exclusive Making Of photos of the events visuals, created by Jarre and his team, bespoke AI animations of the Hall of Mirrors, an in-depth interview with Jarre about the event and it’s unique set up and a lossless audio streaming version featuring an electro version of JB Lully's Walk To The Turcs Ceremony, the recent single Epica Oxygene, and fresh renditions of existing tracks.
Versailles 400 was one of several large-scale virtual live events that Jarre has performed. In 2021 he presented a virtual New Year's Eve show Welcome To The Other Side, which was set in a 'virtual' Notre Dame cathedral. The live show combined life-like concert visuals in VR with a live studio performance.
Each product is available numbered to 2000 copies only. The digital experience is unique to its owner and cannot be shared.
Jean-Michel Jarre: Versailles 400
1. Le Château (from JB Lully & unreleased)
2. Epica Oxygene (new release)
3. The Opening
4. Oxygene 2
5. Equinoxe 4
6. Equinoxe 7
7. Industrial Revolution Part 2
8. Chronologie 6
9. The Architect
10. Oxygene 19
11. Zero Gravity
12. Falling Down
13. Stardust
