M83's "Midnight City" was one of the most anthemic songs of 2011, ending up at the top of Pitchfork's year-end list and propelling album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming to Top 40 chart positions around the world. The band's subsequent concert tour gave ticket buyers a close-up view of what makes them an international success — namely, a deep catalog of polished songs, a laser and light show that blows all audiences away and the infectious stage presence of founding member Anthony Gonzalez. If there's one word to describe M83's vibe, it's optimistic; and whether it's the band's exhilarating anthems or their danceable synth-based instrumentals, you'll definitely walk away feeling good. "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming" was their breakout, but seeing them live puts them over the top.
The band got its start in Antibes, France, with founding members Anthony Gonzalez and Nicolas Fromageau. After releasing two albums, 2001's self-titled debut and 2003's "Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts," to critical acclaim, Fromageau departed and left Gonzalez to pursue his singular vision. Gonzalez soon followed up with 2005's "Before the Dawn Heals Us" and 2008's "Saturdays=Youth" before culminating with "Hurry Up, We're Dreaming." Gonzalez has also contributed to several remix collections and a film soundtrack while attracting a steady stream of his own collaborators for M83. This band shows that "overnight success" is often years in the making, and now that they're in the limelight, they have the chops to back it up.
