Cari Cari live. Bitterzoet, Amsterdam Monday 14 November 2022

Photo: Wout de Natris

Speaking of growth. Cari Cari was a nice band, somewhat subdued in the winter of 2019. Come fall 2022 the band obviously has gained experience and is far more self-confident. Despite the Covid period, everything spells more experience. The stimulus an ever more enthusiastic audience provides, no doubt adds to the interaction and thus atmosphere. At one point Bitterzoet was cooking.

With the album 'Anaana' Cari Cari came into my life in the fall of 2018. It became one of my favourite albums of 2018 and of the 10s as a whole even. Only last month, finally, the new album was released. Ten more songs to enjoy. Of course, Cari Cari could not surprise me with 'Welcome To Coocoo Island' like 'Anaana' did, but the album consolidated the band's standing with ease. So absolutely no complaints there.

Live it did as well. Those who keep a tab on this blog, know what happened on Sunday 13 November and will understand that if music was a race, Cari Cari could never win it. As music isn't a race, it still possible to go home totally satisfied, despite having seen three absolutely superior shows the day before. Cari Cari gave it its all and won me over by the song.

Photo: Wout de Natris

Live Cari Cari is not a duo but a trio. The drummer is now present for nearly all the songs. Stephanie Widmer plays drums a few songs but that it is in 2022. Guitarist Alexander Köck in all things to do with presence is leading the band. He tells his entertaining stories. Speaks a little Dutch these days, is not afraid to show it and is the show person of the band. Widmer is far more in the background but is also full of energy in all the right moments. Just less present.

Together they can cook up a storm that took Bitterzoet perhaps even a little by surprise. Slowly but surely bodies started to move more and more to finally let go in total abandon. Just like on the latest album the final song took the energy totally down, with Stephanie Widmer sitting on the edge of the stage with the audience sitting at her feet. Not me, I would never get up again, probably. Luckily I was not in front of the stage. Lucky for two reasons, avoiding the pogo and the kneeling. The result was that everyone went home totally zen despite the bursts of energy just before.

Photo: Wout de Natris

Cari Cari is a band to watch. It has the songs, that combine several musical genres in very interesting ways. The energy it is able to share with the audience also makes it a party band and great fun for festivals. The two members are both performers in their own way. Bitterzoet had sold out, with fans as I did not hear a lot of talking. A totally great experience once again. Records and live performance are fully in sync where quality is concerned.

Wout de Natris