Christian French
Article by: Brittany Ormiston
Christian French Presents: The Nostalgia Tapes. A 5-show run across the Midwest with a hometown show in Indianapolis is exactly what the doctor ordered. Christian dove head first into a setlist with the perfect balance of new tracks, and songs he called “the classics” dating all the way back to 2017. Decked out in blue jeans and an Indiana hockey jersey, Christian swayed his arms and danced across the stage with adrenaline leading the way. Nothing could stop us from having the time of our lives…
The confidence and happiness radiating from the stage and throughout the room was like no other. The performance of ‘blue skies and open roads’ was picture-perfect as the audience longed for a roadtrip to nowhere. “We were halfway up to Heaven // And halfway to the ground// Movin' sideways for a second // 'Til we shot straight through the clouds,” sang Christian with vocals as clear as day. Hearing the guitar riff of ‘superstars’ echo through the speakers instantly brought about a sense of wistfulness, and the longing for times of simplicity and feeling young again. Christian mentioned he has performed ‘superstars’ for every tour he has ever done, and he cannot bring himself to remove it from the setlist. Based on the crowd’s response, the track is staying for good.
Following a heartfelt performance of ‘sweet home’ requested by the fans, Christian was taken aback by a sweet gesture organized by one of them. One by one, flashlights were raised into the air as they illuminated small hearts during ‘Bad Tattoo.’ He stopped singing briefly, and looked up from the keyboard to take it all in. A fan project always makes for a memorable and touching moment for everyone in attendance. Christian kept the audience on their toes by implementing a seamless transition from ‘colors run’ into ‘superglue.’ The drums pounded in your chest as the energy escalated off the charts. “Every time I lose my mind, you bring me back to you,” sang Christian without reservation. Christian continued to keep the crowd locked in as he stood up on the barricade during ‘avalanche.’ Before you could blink, he let the impulsive thoughts win and right before the last chorus he sprayed the crowd with water. A signature move that will never get old.
The set was nearing the end, and the crowd was begging for someone to punch the breaks and let us stay a little while longer. Christian gave his all during ‘golden years’ to wrap up an enthralling evening, and the lyrics were a gentle reminder to stay in the present and treasure the journey. With his unique vocal tone and true-to-self lyricism, Christian French is here to stay. With a sparkle in his eye, he plans to “create music until the wings fall off.” After all, good things take time right?
Deluxe at Old National Centre in Indianapolis, IN on September 6, 2025
Photos by Everly Ormiston
