Thomas Bangalter Debuts Surprise Pompidou DJ Set After 16-Year Hiatus

Thomas Bangalter, cofounder of electronic duo Daft Punk, made a surprise live appearance on October 25 at Paris Centre Pompidou, joining British producer Fred again.. and DJs Erol Alkan and Busy P for a back‑to‑back set celebrating the 20th anniversary of French label Because Music. The unannounced performance marked Bangalter's first DJ set in 16 years and took place on the final night before the Centre Pompidou closes for a planned five‑year renovation.

Fred again.. posted an account of the night on his Instagram page, writing, "Last night I got to play with Thomas Bangalter, Erol Alkan, Busy P at the Pompidou Centre, the last night before it closes for 5 years." He said Bangalter told him the building was where he first fell in love with electronic music in 1992 and that he "hasn't played a proper set without the mask on for 24 years." Fred again.. added, "All I said to him at the end is that I hope it isn't 24 years til the next."

During roughly 30 minutes on stage, Bangalter played several Daft Punk tracks, including Contact, Rollin' and Scratchin', and Digital Love, alongside selections by the Chemical Brothers and a portion of Jonny Greenwood's score for One Battle After...