Air Celebrates 25 Years of Moon Safari with Historic Performances

Mexico City, Mexico — For the past 20 months, French music duo Air has been touring to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their iconic debut album, Moon Safari. Although the album technically reached this milestone in 2023, the band has never been restricted by the calendar.

In 2023, Air released a special vinyl edition of Moon Safari. The following year, they launched a deluxe box set that included a remastered album, a Dolby Atmos mix, unreleased demos, and rarities. Additionally, a reimagined version of the album, Blue Moon Safari, produced by UK artist Vegyn, came out on Record Store Day.

Nicolas Godin, one half of the duo, shared his excitement about the ongoing celebration during an interview at Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional, where the group had just completed soundcheck. “I feel like I’m living in 1998. I play Moon Safari, I sign Moon Safari albums. It’s a time capsule really,” he said. The duo will also return to North America to perform the album alongside selections from their broader catalog.

Air’s upcoming U.S. tour begins on Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl, where they will perform with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, under the direction of Roger Neill, who arranged their orchestral parts. This marks Air’s return to the iconic venue, having last performed there more than 20 years ago.

“In France, we say, ‘Don’t lose your life to earn it,’” Godin noted, acknowledging the unusual pace of their touring. His partner, Jean-Benoît Dunckel, emphasized the importance of preserving their artistry: “If we are like machines, it’s not good to press and to exploit too much the machine. You have to take care of it for it to work better.”

Reflecting on their previous experience at the Hollywood Bowl in 2004, Godin recalled his stage fright and determined to enjoy this performance fully. “This time, I will not give a shit or think of stage fright. I will be in the moment,” he stated.

Throughout their career, the duo has developed a unique sound, heavily influenced by orchestral arrangements. Godin expressed his enthusiasm for working with Neill again, stating, “It’s very delightful to organize an orchestra with him.”

Air’s connection to Los Angeles has played a significant role in shaping their music. Dunckel explained how they were influenced by local musicians who shared their insights into album production.

As they continue their long tour, Dunckel acknowledged the challenges of performing for extended periods but affirmed their commitment to their fans: “We want to give the best to them because we know it’s not going to be forever.”

They also discussed the release of Blue Moon Safari and their desire to collaborate with new producers to ensure the continuity of their sound through fresh perspectives. Dunckel added that taking breaks in their creative process has been beneficial for their artistic growth over the years.

As they approach their Hollywood Bowl performance, Godin expressed hope for the future, saying, “Going on stage and performing live, the dream is still on when you do that.”