By Tracy Bratten - Clear Channel Radio Digital

PHOTOS: Phoenix Live in New York

Alternative pop-rock band Phoenix played a short set to a packed house of 200 fans Thursday night - marking their first performance since learning that they had been nominated for a Grammy award. The French band played 6 songs to a group of contest winners and devoted fans at TriBeCa's P.C. Richard and Son Theater.

"How do you win this?" Laurent Brancowitz - or Branco, as he introduces himself - joked about the Grammy nod in an interview Thursday afternoon. "For us it's a bit abstract...exotic," he explained, adding that they only realized what a big deal it was upon seeing the faces of their American friends.

And a big deal it is indeed. Their nomination for Best Alternative Album for their fourth studio album, this year's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, is their first Grammy nomination, but they aren't celebrating just yet... not until they win.

"Is it a fight? Do we fight?" Branco's brother and bandmate, Christian Mazzalai joked about how to secure the Grammy. Lead singer Thomas Mars added, "We are good at fencing." Skills with an epee aside, after an incredible year Phoenix certainly has a great chance of winning the award. They are up against Death Cab for Cutie, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Depeche Mode and David Byrne & Brian Eno in the category.

Thursday night the band proved that they've got what it takes. In addition to the success of the album and smash hits like "1901" and "Listzomania," they have an energy onstage that is infectious and yet somehow understated. Plus they sound awesome.

The indie favorites kicked off the show with "Listzomania," and had the crowd clapping along early. Front man Thomas Mars approaches the stage subtly, echoing his bandmates' poised professionalism, so that its no wonder they've has been together since they were in school together in Versailles. They followed the hit with "Long Distance Call," a song from their third studio album, It's Never Been Like That, before playing "Lasso" and "Girlfriend," both from their latest effort.

Thomas Hedlund, the band's touring drummer, isn't a Phoenix staple, but he certainly made his presence known. His impressive percussion not only set the beat, but his charisma and intensity onstage became the backbone of the show.

"We wrote this song with our friends from the band Air," Mars announced before the next song, "This is 'Playground Love.'" A subdued and sweet song, it was a delicate, albeit short, moment during the otherwise upbeat performance.

Phoenix closed the show with big hit "1901," which is also part of the soundtrack for the film New York, I Love You. It was easily the highlight of the night. Phoenix, New York loves you.

Photo By Douglas Sonders