Can Sebastien Tellier revive French pop's fading fortunes over here? Probably not, but he should give British dance fans something to snigger about. His show launched an ICA season that links the London arts venue with the Palais de Tokyo in Paris - a sort of pop exchange scheme to promote emerging artists on opposite sides of the Channel - but not even the attentive crowd could take his sexual synth-funk seriously.

That Tellier had chosen to dress like Jesus - the long-haired, bearded thirtysomething opted for flowing white robes and, early on, a head scarf half-hiding his face - didn't help. As disco-ball light flicked over his body and dry ice drifted at knee height, Tellier stood almost motionless, bass guitar strapped on, while the hypnotic beats and slinky rhythm of his recent single Sexual Sportswear seeped from the stage. As the track hit its jittery highlight, he raised his right arm and fans cheered as though being blessed.

Produced by Daft Punk's Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo, Tellier's third album, Sexuality, released today, is his stab at an erotic club soundtrack. Hence he murmurs and purrs over stylised 1980s synths, billowy basslines and synthetic drum beats. The spectre of Serge Gainsbourg occasionally hovers, but more often it's Jean-Michel Jarre getting down on a dancefloor.

Live, some of the atmosphere of the album was lost, and Tellier struggled to keep the audience engaged. The grindy Kilometer should have summoned up prime-time Prince, but instead recalled the repetitive, bassy dirge of the purple one's Noughties output. The music improved when a two-man band on keyboards and drum machine joined the singer - the smoky vocals of Roche oozed over regimented beats and finally got feet moving, while Une Heure was a neat blend of Pink Floyd and Daft Punk.

Intentionally or not, however, Tellier frequently seemed to be taking the mickey out of his own music. He told puzzled fans that the concert should be called “the carrot show”, mooed like a cow and delivered one whispery monologue in the style of Ricky Gervais in The Office. Near the end of the night, he took to piano for a welcome rendition of his trademark tune La Ritournelle, but when he started singing in French, many made a bolt for the door.

Editor's choice

• U2 at Nou Camp Stadium, Barcelona
• The 50 Best Movie Villains
• The 15 golden rules of theatre etiquette