What to expect from the new Daft Punk live show

Daft Punk know how to throw a party. Their performance at the Grammys this week was basically a medley of world-beating tunes played with help from Nile Rodgers, Pharrell and, um, Stevie Wonder. OK then boys! The robots also appeared in crisp white matching suits, making their first live outing in seven years a pretty serious spectacle.

And Daft Punk know a thing or two about spectacle. Their Pyramid live show is nailed firmly into dance music history while last year's full length LP 'Random Access Memories' turned out to be more about a series of elaborate publicity stunts than actual music (well, kind of). So surely this can't be it from the duo and their latest album.

Rather, we've envisioning the Grammys set as a precursor to more live shows this year. Think about it. They came out rocking new outfits, a stage design based on Alien, mad special guests and new song mash-ups that would send any stadium into meltdown, guaranteed. Can you tell it got us excited? Well you'd be right. So here's what we know about the new Daft Punk live show so far. Fingers crossed...

The old songs aren't done just yet

When Daft Punk showcased a new, disco-orentated sound, not everyone was happy to see the demise of all-out bangers like 'Robot Rock' or 'Rollin' & Scratchin'' but the Grammys restored the faith. As the robots appeared from behind a screen, they mixed in samples as effortlessly as Pharrell's smooth vocals. Snippets from 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger' and 'Around The World' were seamlessly added, meaning that the old songs haven't been forgotten, more put on a back-burner. Expect a 'Lose Yourself To Robot Rock One More Time' medley at least.

Spanking new outfits

With every new Daft Punk album there has been mystery, expectation and, most importantly, an outfit change. The robots never like to be out of date with their fashion so their costumes have evolved accordingly. The arrival of RAM last year saw the duo sport a sparkly Yves Saint Laurent suit as opposed to the full leather numbers from years gone by. Their Grammy performance again saw an outfit change as they dressed in a clean, chrome white. What can we expect from a new show? Maybe latex, or even Bangalter in his pants.

A stage show to top the Pyramid

If there's one thing true fans and vehement haters can agree on, it's the fact that not many artists can pull off a live show like Daft Punk. Their acclaimed Pyramid set has gone down in history as one of the most extravagant experiences that dance music has ever seen but if the Grammys were anything to go by, it won't be making a comeback. To support RAMs sound the set was stripped back. Nothing more than a vintage, retro-looking stage room and some illuminating lights. The disco has returned, but while it may look like the future is on hold, the Grammy stage was based on the MU-TH-UR 6000 computer out of Alien, signalling a love of space age visions too. Expect some retro futurism from the new show.

Stellar guest spots

One of the main talking points of Daft Punk's new album was the sheer amount of high-profile guest spots. As soon as the tracks were heard and all of the collaborators revealed, talk soon turned to whether these stars would perform live with the pair. We saw Pharrell and Nile on stage at the Grammys so now we want the full ensemble. Giorgio playing that synth on 'Giorgio By Moroder', Julian Casablancas' crooning on 'Instant Crush' and Todd Edwards laying it down on 'Fragments Of Time', all of these are possible and let's face it, it would be fucking beautiful.

A slightly more toned down affair

So with the Pyramid seemingly out, the pumping dance music a bit less pumping and with more focus on real instrumentation, we'll see a slightly more toned down affair with the live show. As the album is more instrumental, the show could well be too. You could look forward to a full session band as opposed to just the duo, although their flashy new control panel could suggest otherwise. In this case toned down doesn't mean less fun, it means more style and more class. This we like.

Big locations not mammoth tour dates

They've said in interviews that a live tour isn't on the cards so don't get your hopes up for an Alive 2007 style repeat but Nile can never resist stirring up a bit of Daft Punk frenzy so live shows haven't been ruled out. It's more likely that they'll either show up at the big festivals unannounced (see: Glastonbury, Coachella) and seeing as they don't have a Pyramid to lug around this could be more real that you expect. Saying that they could turn up in a field somewhere or just play an announced gig. And with no Pyramid clutter, at least Pharrell could bring his massive Grammy hat. Just don't believe any dodgy rumours as some Mixmag staff did this summer because, you know what, Daft Punk probably aren't going to play in that half-full beer tent in the arse end of Glasto at 2pm on the last day of the festival.

Conclusion? Expect the unexpected

RAM-era Daft Punk are more content to pull surprises than stick to a regular tour and release schedule, so learn to expect the unexpected going into this year. They've surely got more tricks to pull, so watch every major awards show, festival or even catwalk for sight of the robots, who will no doubt be concocting something big as you read this.