Marc Collin of Nouvelle Vague Talks 21st Anniversary November 2025 UK Tour
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Linda Bujoli
The much-loved French collective Nouvelle Vague returns to the UK this month for a 16-date tour, celebrating 21 years since the release of their iconic self-titled debut album. Original founder Marc Collin kindly spoke to us:
Firstly, congratulations on 21st Anniversary of Nouvelle Vague’s debut album. What are some of your memories/highlights from those twenty years?
Thank you yes well there are a lot of highlights but I’d say our incredible 4 gigs in one day in NY City back in 2005, our show at Royal Albert Hall in London 2010, the collaboration with our heroes the late Terry Hall, Martin Gore and Ian McCullough, the show with Jean Charles de Castelbajac, and all the fantastic shows in Rio de Janiero.
To celebrate the anniversary, you will be embarking on sixteen-date UK Tour in November 2025. How are you feeling about the dates? Do any of the venues/locations hold any personal significance to you/the band?
It is always a great pleasure to perform in the UK mainly because of the enthusiastic crowds who are incredible, to hear them sing along with us is just wonderful. I look forward to playing at all the venues but have very good memories of the Gorilla in Manchester and Chalk in Brighton.
Who will be joining you on the tour in terms of vocalists and musicians?
On this UK Tour there will our 2 lead singers, Melanie Pain and Phoebe Killdeer from 12th until 16th Nov, they are our main singers since almost the beginning and then from 19th Nov until 29th Nov the new performers Alonya and Marine Quéméré will take over + Julien Boye on Drums, Oliver Smith on double bass and Jérôme Pichon on guitars. We’re happy to present our support bands too starting with DeLarentis for the first week, followed by Phoebe Killdeer & The Shift during the second week and Melanie Pain during the last week.
Given your extensive back catalogue, is it difficult picking a setlist? Do you have a specific song selection process?
For this tour the selection was very easy to curate because the band are celebrating the anniversary of the first iconic album of the same name and the release of the new latest album so the show will feature songs from both, I can’t wait!
Do you have any favoured stage instruments?
I love the double bass but I would like to play accordion one day too 🙂
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
The two main things for me is that the crowd have fun and enjoy the shows.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
I would love the opportunity to write a score for a sci-fi novel/film. Think Planet of the Apes but a newer version, yes that would be perfect for me.
Do Nouvelle Vague have any new music releases planned for 2026?
Yes – I have recorded an album in Rio De Janeiro with Brazilian Musicians, the repertoire is focussed on Depeche Mode songs, it’s very exciting!
What makes Marc Collin happy and what makes you unhappy?
Seeing sold out shows or busy venues makes me very happy and poor tech sound on stage when we are performing naturally makes me unhappy but I am positive and look forward to seeing everyone on tour soon.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Linda Bujoli
Nouvelle Vague celebrate 21 years of their iconic album with their UK tour which begins in Nottingham on 12th November, includes a special performance at London’s iconic KOKO on the 27th and wraps up in Cardiff on the 29th.
