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After slaying all before them at this Summer’s Download Festival, British-based multi-national trio Calva Louise are flying high. Revolver Magazine are on their side, as are Metal Hammer. Kerrang Radio digs them, same with BBC Radio 1’s Introducing Rock Show.
They are set to light the stage up at 2000 Trees Festival very soon, and this short run of club shows provides the perfect opportunity for the trio – Jess Allanic (vocals/guitar/keyboard), Alizon Taho (bass/backing vocals/samples), and Ben Parker (drums/backing vocals) – to hone their set for the highly respected 3-day festival in Cheltenham. And as if to highlight the eclectic nature of what Calva Louise brings to the party; the next gig after 2000 Trees is a slot at the legendary Dynamo MetalFest in Eindhoven.
Refreshingly fat-free, Calva Louise’s set just about hits the 60-minute mark. Those gathered in the darkness of the world-famous King Tuts Wah Wah Hut are not given any time to settle in, it’s lights out, a short atmospheric intro, and then the trio smashes headfirst into the throbbing, pulsating ‘Belicoso’ which quickly gets the first few rows moving as one.
It’s a heavy opener, very drum-heavy in fact, and this brings with it some sound issues. Ben Parker is knocking lumps out of his kit. He hits hard. So hard that at times Jess Allanic’s vocals (a mix of soft melodic clean vocals, and harsh screams: think Bjork in The Northman movie fronting a metal band) are lost in the darkness.
The sound issues settle to an extent on ‘Under The Skin’; one of Calva Louise’s heavy-hitters, it’s an epic, multi-layered track that showcases the depth of the songwriting to be found within the band, as well as the range of Allanic’s musical talents as she switches with ease between guitar and her keyboard-on-wheels. Very cinematic in its execution, it’s easily one of the highlights of the set. ‘Con Corazón’ is another. Performed by Venezuelan-born Jess in her native tongue, it’s a dark, brooding, slow-burning gem that lingers on long after the last notes fade out. The little flourish of Spanish guitar licks from Jess that leads to a gnarly breakdown are especially noteworthy.
Whether she is unleashing some explosive riffage, hellacious screams, forming a connection with the audience in English, or having a to-and-fro with a few Spanish-speaking punters at the back of the room, Jess is a joy to watch especially when she drags her mic stand over the barrier and performs part of the latter stages of the set in amongst the crowd. A special shoutout from the stage goes to her Mum who is running the merch stand in between popping into the hall for a few pics and some filming for the folks back home. And at the end of the show, it seems more people want to say Hola to her Mum than they do the band.
Ultra-modern, and supremely catchy, sometimes the hype is worth it.
Remaining tour dates:
10 July – Asylum 2, Birmingham
11 July – Omeara, London
Tickets are available HERE.
Review – Dave
Photo credits – (c) Henry Calvert
