I was introduced to Jean-Michel Jarre at one of the first Laser Tag arenas in New Zealand, possibly the world.
It was called “Futron” and was in a large warehouse next to a popular theme park in West Auckland.
It was multi-level, filled with fog machines and lasers and Star Trek style doors that opened when you shot them, and Jean-Michel Jarre played as a constant soundtrack.
I remember there were TV screens giving instructions to each team, and we have to successfully tag four pyramid “flags” throughout the playing area.
It was truely magical for a space-and-sci-fi obsessed preteen.
My friends and I only went a couple of times before it turned into paintball, which wasn’t as much fun for 11yr olds!
As a direct results of Futon, Jarre’s Rendez-vous was one of the first vinyls I ever bought and I remember playing it over and over again on weekend mornings when my parents were still in bed, happily drumming along on the sofa.
Fourth Rendez-Vous was my favourite, but by coincidence, Jarre also featured on New Zealand TV with Equinoxe, Pt. 4 used as at the theme for a popular wildlife show, Our World.
Hearing it now still gives me late 80’s family TV night flashbacks.