Insatiable Dance Beats: Yelle @ Union Transfer.

Text and images by Kirsten Stamn.

Effusiveness and exuberance would be two words that come to mind when thinking of Yelle‘s show at Union Transfer on Saturday. Fronted by Julie Budet’s adorable French accent and her collection of wacky garbs and peppy dance moves, the energy stayed high as the crowd danced their asses off to Yelle’s techno dance beats.

Appearing first in some sort of swamp creature ensemble (left), Budet quickly whipped off the mottled green hooded cape to reveal a sequined jaguar dress.

After dancing out a couple songs and flirting merrily with the crowd, she disappeared briefly, only to come back with a skintight, American-inspired ensemble, all the better to show off her long limbs as she rocked out onstage.

Budet’s freaky, aggressive, girl-power lyrics have been gaining attention all over the world. Singing about everything from dildos to small breasts to boys, Budet’s insatiable drive to dance and her explosive performances have quickly launched her to success.

With a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek approach, it’s impossible not to get sucked into the happiness of her shows.

Even though it was their last show on their U.S. tour, Yelle’s energy never wavered.

When not rocking out with her drummers, who kept the crowd going by encouraging more screaming from the crowd, Budet thanked their fans continuously in both English and French. Towards the end – after inviting the opening band Housse De Racket to come “shake their booties” onstage – Budet looked at the adoring crowd in what appeared to be slight overwhelm.

“I think I’m going to cry!” she exclaimed. “My English has left me. Thank you all so much! Merci beaucoup!”