The past year has been a big year for Anthony Gonzalez, the mastermind behind M83: he relocated from his native France to Los Angeles, worked on and released the group's sixth studio effort, the fantastic double album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming {which ended up being my personal second favorite album of 2011, with only Toro Y Moi's Underneath the Pine narrowly beating it out} and began making soundtracks for films. The move seems to be paying off, as the HU,WD has been heralded with much critical acclaim, and M83 songs have been popping up in commercials for Victoria's Secret, Red Bull, and in various tv shows.

At the end of their amazing show at Neumo's last November, I remember thinking that the only thing that could have made it better was a larger venue. It felt like the grand, epic sound of M83 needed space to stretch out — as much as I love Neumos, it seemed to be holding them back in that sense. Given their popularity following HU,WD, I had a feeling that the next time M83 came through Seattle, they would be at a venue bigger than Neumos. I remember thinking, "if only he could play the Paramount, with that size and those accoustics, it would be perfect!"

Well, as luck would have it, not long after that show, M83 announced a spring show at the Neptune Theater — tickets didn't last long and it was quickly moved over to the Paramount Theater. If my initial intuitions are correct, it should turn out to be the perfect marriage between a band and a venue.

{Paramount Theater | 4/26 | Doors at 7:00, show at 8:00 | All Ages | $28 Advance, $32 Day of Show | I Break Horses opens.}