However, as the name suggests, Nouvelle Vague is a very French group, influenced by French musical styles and also the film movement from which they took their title. As such, Collin and Libaux have often been asked why they usually choose to cover English- rather than French-language songs. Last year they responded to this with their fourth album, Couleurs sur Paris, an eighteen-tracks tribute to the Parisian New Wave scene of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Featuring Francophone vocalists such as Camille, Yelle and Hugh Coltman, the album sees upbeat or raucous post-punk-pop transformed with soulful basslines, sweet-sounding percussion and light, airy vocals. Their collaboration with Montreal singer-songwriter Coeur de Pirate – a cover of Gamine's “Voilà les anges” – is particularly lovely.

Nouvelle Vague are currently working on a rather different project: The Dawn of Innocence, a stylish and sensual musical directed by fashion designer Jean-Charles Castelbajac, whose creations have previously been worn by the likes of Madonna and featured in Lady Gaga's “Telephone” video. With a loose narrative structure that strings together monologues on eroticism, sexual debauchery and death, the show matches Nouvelle Vague's signature soulful sound with a fantastic panoply of props and costumes designed by Castelbajac himself. A must for fashion followers, fans of the band and anyone with a love of bossa nova, Nouvelle Vague will give a rare performance of this special show at Barcelona's Apolo in December.

 €23 (advance) / €27 (door)

nouvellesvagues.com

Listing on Apolo website