Sophie Ellis-Bextor Honors 2015 Paris Attack Victims with Emotional ‘Murder on the Dancefloor

In a moving display of remembrance, Sophie Ellis-Bextor paid heartfelt tribute to the victims of the 2015 Bataclan tragedy during her recent tour stop at the same venue. The Bataclan, where 90 people lost their lives in coordinated terrorist attacks, held a significant place in the singer’s European tour.

Before enchanting the audience with her 2001 hit “Murder on the Dancefloor,” Ellis-Bextor took a moment to reflect on the tragic events that unfolded at the Bataclan during an Eagles of Death Metal concert. In a fan-recorded footage of the performance, she expressed, “It didn’t feel right to me to just waltz into a song called ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ without noting and paying tribute to the history.”

Acknowledging the song’s cultural resurgence, particularly after its feature in Emerald Fennell’s film Saltburn, the pop star emphasized the positive essence of “Murder on the Dancefloor.” She stated, “The whole intention of that song, like this venue, is to bring joy and music onto the dancefloor. So in tribute to that spirit, and in tribute to everybody who has ever danced right here at the Bataclan, this is ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’.”

Ellis-Bextor’s iconic track has experienced a viral resurgence on TikTok, gaining momentum as a pop culture phenomenon. The song reached its highest-ever streams on Spotify on New Year’s Eve 2023, securing a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time and making a triumphant return to the U.K. Singles Chart.

Following the release of Saltburn, Ellis-Bextor expressed her surprise at the unconventional use of her song in the film, particularly in a scene featuring actor Barry Keoghan dancing through a mansion in the nude. Despite the unexpected twist, she applauded the film’s clever and humorous approach.

As “Murder on the Dancefloor” continues to captivate audiences, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s touching tribute at the Bataclan serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of music in the face of tragedy.

In a moving display of remembrance, Sophie Ellis-Bextor paid heartfelt tribute to the victims of the 2015 Bataclan tragedy during her recent tour stop at the same venue. The Bataclan, where 90 people lost their lives in coordinated terrorist attacks, held a significant place in the singer’s European tour. Before enchanting the audience with her…