FEMM
The Lower Third, London
16/11/2023
After a decade in our current time frame, electronic duo FEMM (that’s Far East Mention Mannequins) will return to the future, but not before they perform two final sets (outside of Japan) at London’s Lower Third venue. They’re a combo who blur the lines between fantasy and reality, and when they are carried on stage and posed like actual showroom dummies whilst standing absolutely still and holding those poses for such a prolonged period, it is one of the surrealist things I’ve ever seen and makes me wonder if they really human. When opening track ‘We Flood The Night’ begins FEMM start to move, but it is in a very robotic manner, as if they’ve just been switched on and their circuitry is warming up. However, as the set progresses they become more animated, incrementally increasing their movements, and by the time we reach ‘Wannabe’ they’re in humanoid mode, yet there’s always the suggestion that there might be a glitch in the matrix and they’ll become stationary again.
While FEMM will depart at the end of 2023, there’s the suggestion that they’ll continue in some form and both RiRi and LuLa perform a track solo at the set’s midpoint. However, their greatest power is together, and despite their android affectations there is something so very life-affirming about FEMM’s performance as those who are crammed in front of the stage slavishly copy their dance routines. The suggestive, sexual dancing during ‘FxxK Boyz Get Money’ seems a little creepy coming from mannequins in rubber latex suits, yet it is just one way that this duo challenge attitudes and expectations. As we reach the conclusion, LuLa enters full human mode and becomes quite emotional and tearful as she introduces the final song ‘We Got Each Other’. Those lucky enough to attend the evening show are treated to three encores which are celebratory, yet also tinged with sadness that something good is coming to an end. If FEMM really do leave this dimension, the world will be a darker place.
Review and photos by Peter Dennis