Has it honestly only been 10 years since Swedish outfit Blues Pills released their debut album? Part of the fittings for what seems longer than a decade, the quartet led by the mesmerising Elin Larsson have always been bubbling under with one solid album after another. And with the hot new album ‘Birthday’ bringing fantastic reviews from fanbase and critics alike, the Swedes are back with renewed vigour, almost like they have a point to prove. That point perhaps is that it is possible to have a baby and still front a kick-ass rock and roll band; as Elin says herself:
“I need to do this for myself and for other mothers, so they don’t abandon their own passions after becoming mums. It’s going to take time to combine the two worlds I love, but I can only think it will do my son Loui good to experience other cultures, countries and music. I really think it’s important that I can do this. To empower other women, and to meet this new state proudly and enjoy”.
That blur of energy that has just exploded out of the side-stage area and high-fived a handful of the crowd standing slack-jawed at the barrier; that’s Elin taking to the stage like a Tasmanian Devil having eaten all the blue M&M’s from the backstage rider. Jeez, she is on fire. And as she says on the title track to the latest opus, and set-opener ‘Birthday’: “I don’t care what you say/I’m gonna do it my way…” and with André Kvarnström beating out a fantastic sound on his small drum kit, it makes for a thrilling intro, and as the immediate follow-on asks “Don’t You Love It”?
With BP’s co-founder/guitarist/co-songwriter Zack Anderson making himself heard over on the far side (hard to see him through the darkness though) and ultra-cool bassist Kristoffer Schander on the opposite side, Larsson has the entirety of the stage to move around. Navigating the pesky onstage pillar is child play for Larsson although there are a few moments when she is headbanging and throwing her hair around that she comes perilously close to said pillar which has caused many bands some grief. ‘Elf n’safety and all that.
As expected, ‘Birthday’ is well represented in the setlist, with ‘Bad Choices’ (complete with groovy bass licks from Schander) being an early highlight – as well as a song that most can identify with – and there are scenes of dancing, actual dancing, breaking out down the front. It’s on moments like this where the quiet, understated Anderson truly shines as a guitarist; opting to go with a handful of riffs and notes where others might attempt to overplay and ruin the moment. A spellbinding live version of ‘Top of the Sky’ would be another highlight from the new album, and if there ever was the perfect song to showcase Larsson’s full vocal range; then it’s this one. Fragile, loving, and tender; it is something special.
Taking a step back from studio album number four, the band revisit the debut album for a brace of “Blues Pills classics” such as ‘High Class Woman’, ‘Black Smoke’, ‘Devil Man’, and the pick of the bunch (and perhaps also the evening) ‘Little Sun’ which is introduced by Larsson with a heartfelt insight into the song’s backstory. ‘Proud Woman’ from 2020’s ‘Holy Moly!’ is always a banger live, and tonight is no different and goes down the proverbial storm.
Always a fantastic experience, Blues Pills are a band best witnessed live where the songs spread their wings and take flight. Catch them on one of the remaining dates listed below, and do check out the opening band Daniel Romano’s Outfit; although they have a substantial back catalogue, they might just be your favourite new band. Eclectic doesn’t even tell half the story.
Blues Pills live:
– October 15, 2024: Bristol, UK – Thekla
– October 16, 2024: Paris, France – Maroquinerie
– October 18, 2024: Frankfurt am Main, Germany – Das Bett
– October 19, 2024: Karlsruhe, Germany – Substage
– October 20, 2024: Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vredenburg
– November 1, 2024: Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
– November 8, 2024: Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
– November 9, 2024: Stockholm, Sweden – Kägelbanan
– November 21, 2024: Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
– November 22, 2024: Oslo, Norway – Vulkan Arena
– November 29, 2024: Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
– November 30, 2024: Warsaw, Poland – Niebo
– December 1, 2024: Prague, Czech Republic – Rock Café
– December 3, 2024: Berlin, Germany – Hole 44
– December 4, 2024: Vienna, Austria – SIMM City
– December 6, 2024: Munich, Germany – Backstage
– December 7, 2024: Rubigen/Bern, Switzerland – Mühle Hunziken
– December 8, 2024: Milan, Italy – Circolo Magnolia
– December 10, 2024: Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
– December 11, 2024: Madrid, Spain – Mon
– December 13, 2024: Toulouse, France – Metronum *without Daniel Romano’s Outfit
– December 14, 2024: Lyon, France – Marche Gare *without Daniel Romano’s Outfit
More information, HERE
Review – Dave
Portrait photo credits – Dana Trippe