The Stranglers accompany the Golden Brown Hours at Le Mans
As the skies turn golden brown so the automotive soundtrack at Le Mans is joined by Le Mans returnees, The Stranglers
As the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship races into the evening, and a golden brown sunlight glistens on the track, so sounds of a different but familiar nature enter the air near the Dunlop Curves as The Stranglers pick up their instruments and rock into the night.
Now playing in their 48th year, The Stranglers have played Le Mans once before, in 2009. Their bassist and only active original member, is J.J. Burnel, English born to French parents and now living in France, gives an insight into performing at Le Mans.
As part of the unique nature of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the band plays not once racing has finished, but during the course of the race. We asked JJ what that’s like and his thoughts on a soundtrack for competitors.
You played in Le Mans in 2009, what was that like?
It was just it was a very real sensation. We played quite late at night, probably later than when we're playing tonight. We had a pretty powerful PA but it’s like you’re competing with the cars as they’re so loud.
Is it normal to be competing with a motor racing event?
Funnily enough, we’ve done the Bol d’Or too when it raced at Paul Ricard so we’re pretty used to playing against a cacophony of lots of loud noise.
Other than the race as a backdrop, is there a different vibe from performing at Le Mans?
I'm really enjoying the way we’ve been treated and it is a spectacular event. As artists we’ve been looked after. Artists are looked after really well in Europe in general, but especially in France. But what everyone does racing here is incredible, it’s a real accomplishment and it’s an iconic and well run event.
What would be your soundtrack if you had to compete for 24 hours?
I can't imagine it! Funnily enough, I recently drove from the South of France to the West Country in England, there and back within the course of a week so a lot of driving, if not 24 hours in one go. I listened to the whole of what I've got in my phone which is, I think, 205 pieces and I ran out of that then I started having silence! I’d have all kinds of music. Some classical, some metal; a pretty eclectic mix! I’ve got the Everly Brothers, The Hollies, Claw Finger and all kinds of things…
With JJ ready join the rest of the band and perform, we can point to a short selection of their songs which may, or may not, be played this evening which have a motorsport theme.
Top Racing Tracks from The Stranglers
Grip - (Get a) Grip (On Yourself)
Who’d have thought that the first single from The Stranglers is about something that racing drivers are always talking about? It even references a Morris 1000 in the first line. The crime continues.
From Grip we jump to driver feedback and set-up changes, with Something Better Change.
As the sun sets and sun rises at Le Mans, there’s that glorious glow…
There hasn’t always been at Le Mans, but for the start and first hours of the 90th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it’s a true statement.
Originally by The Kinks, all the FIA World Endurance Championship teams at Le Mans are indeed going all day, and all of the night.
As day turns to night, so The Stranglers latest album, Dark Matters, comes to the fore.
No rain yet in this year’s edition of Le Mans. But you never know.
If you're not lucky enough to be in Le Mans, details of The Stranglers on tour can be found here.
