I so love the Blues as well as international Blues artists. So when I read about multi-album and award winning French premier Blues man, Manu Lanvin, I just had to listen to his latest album 'Man on a Mission'. Released in October and way up in the IBBA playlist, I immediately fell in love with Manu’s sound and style of Blues. So, as other guys go to international football, rugby, tennis or cricket matches, I go to international gigs! Indeed, not only did I just have to see and sample Manu’s sound and vibe live, but more importantly, I wanted to share his mission of Blues love back into the UK and beyond!

So on an early morning credit card whim, I booked my flight and ticket to the gig, and then set about the business of obtaining the photo and press pass. A massive thank you here to Steve Harrison of Blues Matters and Steve Youglivch, who facilitated and realised my photographic dream. Indeed, this was the Blues and music community at its best. Cue then one flight to Geneva, two buses across the border to France, and I was finally in the City of Gex with a photo pass from Manu Lanvin himself! No pressure then!

Fresh from playing at the rawness of Paris's Bataclan, Gex's Espace Perdtemps was a very different, municipal, family based seated venue, with its own regional vibe. The atmosphere was full of anticipation as the audience took to their seats. many of whom who had travelled across France, young and old.

A countdown intro, with shades of 'Bowie 2001: A Space Odyssey' in the opening light and sound sequences, saw Manu's band arrive on stage, followed by the man himself. On a mission to spread the Blues, the opener and title track from his latest album certainly accomplished this, given Lanvin’s energy, Gibson guitar fretwork and vocals from the get-go.

In an overall brilliant set, the band continued with 'She’s da Bomb', AC/DC's energetic 'Highway To Hell' and my personal favourite, as seemingly every word counted on 'I Got the Blues', Indeed, the rasping and rawness of Lanvin’s vocals on this composition, complemented by the pulsating repetitive keyboard beat played by New York City born, now Montpelier based, Mike Lattrell, saw them totally nail it.

Following the catchy 'What’s the Matter with U', a change of tempo saw Manu on electric acoustic soloing with the romantic bitter sweet ode, 'Savigny-sur-Orge'. Lanvin not only engaged with wit and warmth with the vast crowd, but he also went on an astonishing walkabout playing his Gibson on the floor of the venue, that saw the enchanted audience get up from their seats, reaching out and touching him!

Indeed, I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to video and photograph all of this, and was not only delighted that my crowd images later made Manu's social media reels, but I also had the honour of working with his media team to push out all his musical imagery and messaging!

Other set highlights for me were 'Soul Revolution', a cover of Calvin Russell's 'Crossroads', 'Saving Angel' and 'Raise Your Hands for Peace'. As for the latter, Lanvin ascribes to no religion, but rather the mysticality of music and love, a la Lenny Kravitz, so the sight of hundred's of people raising their hands to salute this Man on a Mission was spectacular and emotional!

Another particular highlight tonight was the superb variety in Manu's vocal tone, namely raw, earthy, while also being tender and romantic with a more ballad like feel. Lanvin's quartet were also outstanding too, perfectly complemented by the assured, cool, intuitive, confident basslines of long time bassist Nicolas Bellanger, as well as Jimmy Montout’s skilled drumming, adding a further dimension to Manu’s set.

Loved by his French audience, and vice-versa, this was an exceptional concert from this Blues Man On Mission! All we need now is to bring him to the UK to perform in 2026! So promoters please make this happen and go see! Indeed, I will be first in the queue to be Manu’s tour photographer and reviewer!

Review, Video and Photos: Denise Lester