You remember the first time you heard the opening bassline of "La Femme d’argent," right? It feels like silk. It feels like 1998, yet somehow, it feels like the future.
Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel—the duo we know as Air—didn't just release an album when they dropped Moon Safari. They built a vibe that has outlasted nearly every other electronic trend of the late nineties. Fast forward to 2026, and the world is still catching its breath from their massive anniversary run.
Honestly, nobody expected them to go this hard.
The White Box and the Space Shuttle Vibe
When the Air French band tour kicked off its most recent leg, fans weren't greeted with a standard stage setup. No messy cables. No stacks of amps. Instead, the duo performed from inside a massive, 11-meter-wide white "light box."
It’s minimalist. It’s sleek. Jean-Benoît Dunckel described it as a "space shuttle," and he isn't exaggerating.
Inside that glowing rectangle, the band recreates the intimacy of their home studio. They’re surrounded by a dizzying array of vintage gear—Moogs, Fender Rhodes pianos, and Korg MS-20s. For a band that started as a studio project in Versailles, this setup feels like coming home. They aren't just playing songs; they’re inviting you into the laboratory where the magic actually happens.
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Why the Setlist Hits Different Now
Seeing them live isn't just a nostalgia trip. It’s a masterclass in "French Touch" fidelity. While many electronic acts rely on backing tracks and a "press play" mentality, Air is out there actually playing the instruments.
The setlist is usually a two-act play. First, you get Moon Safari in its entirety. Every note. Every whisper. Then, they pivot into the darker, more experimental stuff.
- Act One: The Classics - "Sexy Boy" (still a total earworm)
- "Kelly Watch the Stars" (the vocoder work is flawless)
- "All I Need" (where they often use samples of Beth Hirsch’s original vocals)
- Act Two: The Deep Cuts
- "Cherry Blossom Girl" from Talkie Walkie
- "Don’t Be Light" from 10,000 Hz Legend (this one usually brings the house down)
- "Alone in Kyoto" (the perfect, melancholic closer)
The Logistics of a 125-Date Odyssey
People think touring is just showing up and playing. For Air, it’s a massive engineering feat. We’re talking about 125 dates across 36 countries. That white box? It’s designed to fit into a single kit for maritime transport.
They actually optimized the whole thing to reduce their carbon footprint. Instead of flying gear back and forth across the Atlantic, they used boat transport as much as possible. It’s a slow-burn approach that fits their music perfectly.
Financially, it paid off too. Reports suggest the tour pulled in somewhere around €15-16 million. Not bad for two guys who just wanted to make "space pop" in their bedrooms.
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The Hollywood Bowl and Beyond
One of the absolute peaks of the recent Air French band tour was the stop at the Hollywood Bowl. They didn't just play with their usual three-piece setup (including the phenomenal touring drummer Louis Delorme). They brought out the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
Hearing "Sexy Boy" with a full string section? Unreal.
It proved that Air’s music isn't just "electronic." It’s orchestral. It’s cinematic. It’s why Sofia Coppola tapped them for The Virgin Suicides soundtrack in the first place. They have this weird ability to make a massive outdoor venue feel like a tiny, smoke-filled Parisian lounge.
What Most People Get Wrong About Air
There’s this misconception that Air is "chill-out" music. Like it’s just something to have on in the background while you’re doing dishes.
If you’ve seen them live recently, you know that’s wrong.
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Songs like "Don’t Be Light" are aggressive. They’re loud. Godin’s bass lines are thick and distorted, and Delorme’s drumming adds a visceral, physical energy that you just don't get from the studio recordings. They aren't "background" music. They’re an immersive experience.
Is There New Music Coming?
This is the big question. During the 2024-2025 runs, Nicolas Godin was pretty open about the fact that they didn't want to make a new album yet. Why? Because a new album means a different kind of tour. They wanted to celebrate what they’d built first.
But as we move through 2026, the rumors are swirling. They’ve spent the last two years reconnecting on stage. That kind of chemistry usually leads back to the studio.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to catch the tail end of this era or preparing for whatever they do next, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Check for Boutique Festival Slots: Air has been gravitating toward specific, high-concept festivals like We Love Green in Paris or Way Out West in Sweden. These venues usually offer better sound quality than massive stadiums.
- Follow Individual Projects: Jean-Benoît Dunckel and Nicolas Godin often release solo work or film scores between tours. Godin’s Concrete and Glass is a must-listen if you like the architectural side of their sound.
- Vinyl Reissues: Keep an eye on the Blue Moon Safari remixes and deluxe anniversary editions. The band often drops limited Record Store Day releases that feature live versions from the tour.
- Official Channels: Skip the sketchy ticket resellers. The band is very active on their official site, AirFrenchBand.com, which is the only place to get verified tour dates and presale codes.
The Air French band tour wasn't just a victory lap. It was a reminder that in a world of AI-generated beats and 15-second TikTok trends, there is still a massive appetite for slow, thoughtful, hand-crafted music. Whether they return to the studio or keep touring the classics, the "Moon Safari" legacy is clearly in safe hands.