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As far as years go, 2025 has been pretty good for French organic farmers by day, DIY blues rock duo by night, The Inspector Cluzo. A new studio album (their 10th), ‘Less Is More’, was released to great critical acclaim. Several live dates in Europe opening for Neil Young, and a full US/Canada tour as special guest to Clutch. And now a lengthy headline tour around the UK and Europe that runs until February 2026. Good going for one of the most explosive and utterly bonkers live acts that you will encounter for quite some time.
Consisting of Laurent (guitars, vocals) and Mathieu (drums), the organic farmers from Gascony have been playing together for more than 30 years, and as Laurent points out, The Inspector Cluzo’s music is totally organic. They play 100% live. With no tracks or pre-recorded tapes. Everything is created right there, right then, by two performers who make it impossible for the audience to do anything except check their inhibitions at the door and go all-in. Any lack of enthusiasm is met by a stern look from Mathieu, whose small kit is set up at the lip of the stage for optimum effect. He also likes a wander, so pay attention as he might just appear directly in front of you, smacking his drumsticks together to coax some participation, or, pass over your head crowdsurfing like he does during the insane closing stages.
‘Less Is More’ is an apt way to open the show, as not only is it a feral, powerful introduction to The Inspector Cluzo, it also seems to be their mantra. And tonight, with only two fellas making such an almighty noise, less certainly is more. Very easy on the eyes, the pair are mesmerising to watch. And even though Mathieu is wearing a suit shirt, waistcoat, and tie, he plays in a primal fashion. Lifting his arms high to pummel his kit into submission. Perhaps the only comparison for comparison’s sake would be with the much-missed Keith Moon.
Once the opener fades out, Laurent pauses to point out that the “First gig ever of The Inspector Cluzo was here…true…I think it was April 2008, opening for Fishbone…so thank you so much” before listing everything that they have on their farm, which includes a cat. Makes sense then that ‘Catfarm’ is up next. Crew member/tour manager Jeremy makes an appearance onstage to recreate his dance moves from the video (check it out above), and much like Clutch made a funky song about crab cakes on ‘Hot Bottom Feeder’, Cluzo have made a funky song about the trials and tribulations of owning a cat. Totally off-the-cuff, totally out there, and totally so much fun.
Sticking with ‘Less Is More’, the gnarly riff-filled ‘As Stupid As You Can’ is up next. Described by Laurent as a song that is “Very now, especially in America…especially in France…especially fucking everywhere”, it’s a lot heavier live, with some fantastic growling vocals from Laurent.
The cleverly-titled ‘A Man Outstanding In His Field’ is the first chance to turn the clock back pre-‘Less Is More’ and is as catchy as it ever was. Loads of guitar effects from Laurent, a few fantastic turns of pace, and a few leftfield turns, it is hard not to get swept up in the vibe, especially when Mathieu is up front, coaxing some audience participation. ‘Fishermen’ is another older track that stands out. The gentle intro hints at one approach only for the pair to floor for a few moments, with a full-on assault of the senses, before calming it all back down again.
‘Less Is More’ is obviously the main focus, and to be honest, there is not much of a difference in how these songs sound live in comparison to the studio recordings. And what you hear on the albums is what you will hear live. No studio trickery, no backing tracks, etc. Just two guys playing the hell out of their instruments. Maybe more full-on thanks to the visceral onslaught of watching the pair in action? Either way, it is refreshing to hear a track such as ‘The Greenwashers’ sound as thrilling in a dark, sweaty club in the same way that it does on vinyl.
Carnage is the only word to describe the traditional ten-minute closing of ‘Put Your Hands Up’, which is perhaps the best example of what live, heavy-as-fucking-shit, rock and roll sounds like. As Laurent declares a few minutes into the lunacy, “Rules are made to be broken…”. And what follows is the greatest example of what live music is all about, as you are as likely to witness today. It’s a balls-out, mostly instrumental jam, with a few easy lines for the crowd to remember. What makes it stand out is the ferocity with which it is performed. Mathieu is hammering away on his kit, Laurent thrashing on the guitar. Now and then, the latter takes away one of his bandmates’ cymbals and tosses it to the ground. The kit is gradually getting smaller, but Laurent is still battering it. After a few minutes, he stands up, chucks his sticks in the air, and saunters to the barrier to soak up the applause. Fuck it, he turns back, gets new sticks, and the pair continue for five more minutes. His kit is still getting smaller. Eventually, his kick drum is lying flat, with him standing on the rims, playing it. Mere words will never do it justice; so head to YouTube and check out The Inspector Cluzo – Gig Finale at King Tuts, Glasgow. Bloody insane.
Thankfully, The Inspector Cluzo are headlining tonight because no band could follow that. Totally intoxicating. One of those bands that you must see live before you die. But not in a field, get to a headline show in a small venue, and prepare to be dazzled. And if you get to one of the remaining EU shows this year, you might just catch the beguiling Katerina Kiranos, aka Katacombs, as special guest. Either way, do check out her new album, ‘Fragments of the Underwater’.
01/11 London (UK) « The Grace »
06/11 Bordeaux (France) « Salle du Grand Parc »
07/11 La Rochelle (France) « La Sirène »
08/11 Brest (France) « La Carène »
12/11 Mulhouse (France) « Le Noumatrouff »
13/11 Nancy (France) « L’Autre Canal »
14/11 Reims (France) « La Cartonnerie »
15/11 Lille (France) « Le Splendid »
20/11 Lyon (France) « La Rayonne »
21/11 Lausanne (Switzerland) « Les Docks »
22/11 Clermont-Ferrand (France) « La Coopérative de Mai »
27/11 Marseille (France) « Espace Julien »
28/11 Montpellier (France) « Le Rockstore »
29/11 Toulouse (France) « Bikini »
30/11 Biarritz (France) « L’Atabal »
04/12 Lorient (France) « L’hydrophone »
05/12 Caen (France) « Big Bang Café »
06/12 Alençon (France) « La Luciole »
10/12 Madrid (Spain) « Wurlitzer Room »
12/12 Porto (Portugal) « Mouco »
13/12 Lisbonna (Portugal) « Republica dal Musica »
28/01/26 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
29/01 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
30/01 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
31/01 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
01/02 Paris (France) « La Maroquinerie »
More information, HERE.
Review – Dave
