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  1. Interview: Phoenix Video: Interview: Phoenix

    Phoenix discuss the challenges of songwriting, their musical influences, and their Unplugged performance.

  2. Photos: Phoenix Photos: Photos: Phoenix

    Check out some of the awesome moments from Phoenix's 'Unplugged' performance.

About Phoenix

Although to many it may seem like the French group Phoenix burst onto the scene recently, the members of the Gallic dance rock group have been working hard to bring their music to the world for over 10 years. Before they were Phoenix, Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy and Chris Mazzalai could be found playing in a garage outside of Paris. Mazzalai's brother, Laurent Brancowitz, joined the group after his band with Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (now of Daft Punk fame) split up. In the late '90s, Phoenix put out a self-released single and served as the backup band for the French duo Air. In 2000, they released their first album "United," and the single "Too Young" was featured in the films "Lost In Translation" and "Shallow Hal." Their second album, "Alphabetical" garnered some alternative rock airplay charts and in 2006 they furthered their success with the album "It's Never Been Like That." However, it was 2009's Grammy winning "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" that blasted their music into numerous movies, TV shows, car commercials and onto iPods everywhere.

The French quartet said they were eager to take to the "Unplugged" stage and "play naked," noting that "the danger is a fantastic feeling." They opened with their single "Lisztomania," hammering out the song's driving keyboard parts on marimba and piano. They followed-up with the equally recognizable "1901," adding some more acoustic treats with tubular bells and an old pump organ. They also served up other crowd-pleasing favorites for like "Rome" and "Long Distance Call." The musicians then stripped their arrangements down to just vocals and guitar for a cover of Air's "Playground Love." It's safe to assume that almost everyone has heard at least one of these songs even if they didn't know they were listening to Phoenix, and they are sure to walk away diehard fans after watching this infectious Unplugged performance.

Unplugged Archive

  1. The ScriptThe Script

    Irish trio The Script serve up their hit song "Breakeven" and unique blend of "Celtic Soul" in this impassioned Unplugged performance.

  2. Trey SongzTrey Songz

    Sultry R&B singer Trey Songz brings the heat to the 'Unplugged' stage in a performance that will leave you begging for more.

  3. Adam LambertAdam Lambert

    Glam-pop star Adam Lambert delivers a powerful set of stripped-down songs from his debut album 'For Your Entertainment' in this not-to-be-missed 'Unplugged' performance.

  4. Vampire WeekendVampire Weekend

    Ivy-League indie rockers Vampire Weekend refine all the energy, wit and charm of their songs for this pitch-perfect 'MTV Unplugged' performance.

  5. Katy PerryKaty Perry

    Spunky singer-songwriter Katy Perry takes the 'MTV Unplugged' stage armed with jazzy, stripped-down and soulful arrangements of her hit songs. This is a performance not to be missed.

  6. ParamoreParamore

    Watch our favorite punky pop rockers play their hits and songs from their latest album, 'Brand New Eyes,' exclusively for 'MTV Unplugged.'

  7. All Time LowAll Time Low

    Pop rockers All Time Low strip their songs down to just an essential heart beat, exclusively for 'MTV Unplugged.'

  8. Silversun PickupsSilversun Pickups

    Los Angeles based indie rock veterans Silversun Pickups explore the 'creepy, quieter' moments of their songs. Watch exclusive 'MTV Unplugged' performances here.

  9. AdeleAdele

    Soulful Brit chanteuse Adele channels Dusty Springfield in a set of smoking, sepia-tone originals that are just downright nasty, only on 'MTV Unplugged.'

  10. Classic Performances Video: Classic Performances

    Since 1989, the biggest names in music have graced the 'MTV Unplugged' stage. Relive some classic live performances from Nirvana to Jay-Z right here.

  11. Alicia KeysAlicia Keys

    Alicia Keys' elegant 'Unplugged' performance earned her four Grammy nominations. Watch this powerful songbird pull the plug on 'Unbreakable,' and her many other hits.

  12. KornKorn

    Korn is probably the last band in the world you think would do an ‘Unplugged.’ Watch their blistering set featuring cult classic band The Cure and Amy Lee of Evanescence.

  13. Ne-YoNe-Yo

    Watch the smooth, silky hit maker perform "Crazy," "Do You" and more totally live and absolutely 'Unplugged.'

  14. Joss StoneJoss Stone

    Joss Stone strips her British-flavored Soul songs down to their barest, most heartbreaking essentials. Watch all of her hits including ‘Right to Be Wrong' only on 'MTV Unplugged.'

  15. Classic Photos Photos: Classic Photos

    The bands that made 'Unplugged' famous are all here, strutting their stuff on our intimate stage. Relive acoustic moments with Nirvana, Alicia Keys, R.E.M. and many more.

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