Electronic duo Justice returns to Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival for a third time

Justice first surfaced in the music scene back in 2007 when the group swept audiences with its hit sensation “D.A.N.C.E.” With their recently released album “Audio, Video, Disco,” Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay are ready to come back with a new set list, new production and renewed vigor as they take on their North American tour and this year’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival for the third time. De Rosnay spoke with Daily Bruin’s Lynn Chu about the changes Justice has made since its last tour in 2009 and the group’s experiences performing at Coachella.

Daily Bruin: How has your recent North American tour been so far?

Xavier de Rosnay: Yes, we’re starting with the East Coast now and will return in April for the West Coast. (So far), we’ve played in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. It’s (been) really good.

DB: How has the tour been different from your 2008 tour?

XD: Everything is a bit different because we’re using a different type of production that involves more people (which changes everything) from the setup we use to make music, the setup of the stage, to the music in itself ““ (featuring) our new album (“Audio, Video, Disco”). Although we kept some elements from our first tour, we found (new) ways of developing them. Also, a lot of things in general have changed … since 2008. That’s why we were surprised and hyped to see such a young audience attending the shows. Electronic live shows can be a bit cold, but for some reason we’ve received a warm (response). It’s the way they react to the music by singing along, which makes it so great.

DB: How does it feel to be invited back to Coachella this year?

XD: It feels great. We played our first show ever at Coachella then closed the festival back in 2008. Now it’s great that they proposed for us to get out of the dance tent and to perform on the main stage. It’s challenging for us as we’re now (playing) for an audience that is not coming for us especially, and we’ll have just one hour to convince them to stay.

DB: What was your first performance at Coachella like?

XD: It was great, it is one of our best memories in Justice. At the time, we had just finished our first album a few days before and then headed to Coachella, having never performed live before. It was a tiny bit stressful, but the location and everything there makes you feel a bit more relaxed and makes things very enjoyable.

DB: What do you guys love most about performing live?

XD: The best thing with performing live is the immediate confrontation with people. You can also take more risks when you play live. It allows more dynamics because live shows rely more on emotions than efficiency, really. (For example), we can play a song that is just piano and vocals, but performing it live will make it better because people who come to see us (at shows) don’t come to dance really ““ more to see a concert, (to see and appreciate) what we do.

DB: Do you still get stage fright before you perform?

XD: Yes, we still have stage fright every time. It’s not a bad feeling actually. (Besides), there’s not really a remedy apart from going on stage and (starting) the show.

Email Chu at [email protected].