Indiestad, Great Gable, La Luz and CVC. Paradiso, Amsterdam Sunday 8 May 2024

Photo: Wout de Natris

It turned out that La Luz played at a festival, Indiestad, in Paradiso and not its own headlining show. So, instead I got to see three bands. As I came for the Californian band, I will start there.

La Luz

With its latest album 'News Of The Universe' La Luz for the first time really grabbed me. Having entered my life with its previous album, 'La Luz', the band's latest was the real ear opener. I truly liked 'La Luz' at the time and played the album a lot, but as things go, at some point it recedes into my vast collection. Playing it again to prepare for the show, I was "shocked" to find out how regular it sounded compared to 'News Of The Universe'. I will give it another chance, do not worry. As I should the first two albums. I still have to check them out.

La Luz to my surprise did most of the setting up all by itself. They were carrying their instruments and everything on stage, already wearing their stage clothes and everything. There was a provided backline, that may make a difference. We heard a little of the soundcheck and went outside into the sun for a few minutes.

Photo: Wout de Natris

La Luz totally delivered. The band is good, well played in and the three part vocal harmonies really shine. What did surprise me was the surf guitar sound of singer Shuna Cleveland's guitar. Perhaps because live it is more prominent than on record or a special live feature. It sounded great, so I was not complaining.

What also struck me more in the live setting than on record, is the dreampop element in the music. The contributions on keyboard by Maryam Qudus certainly contributed to the dreampop sound. I can imagine the band on a stage with Warpaint, except that on average I appreciate La Luz more musically. The songs are stronger, melodically as well as where variation is concerned. La Luz seems to have more imagination. E.G., i noticed the Frank Zappa influence in the instrumental song. Totally wacky notes and riffs, played unisono on guitar, bass and synth.

The most fun was to hear the great songs live. La Luz totally delivered there. Bassist Lee Johnson may be new to the band, she stood there as if she was present for the past twelve years. With a strong drummer, Audrey Johnson, in support, the songs came alive, as did the band and the audience. The interaction certainly was there. We warmed each other with the glowing songs coming from the stage. (And for Shana, it's Broek op Waterland. Go and see it sone day.)

Photo: Wout de Natris

Great Gable

Great Gable comes all the way from Perth in Australia and was promoted to the big hall, as Dylan LeBlanc wasn't in the Paradiso. To be honest, for several songs I couldn't help thinking, why are these guys (and a gal) playing here and not at the local high school dance? To my ears there was nothing original, no fire, nothing that merits a stage in a venue like the Paradiso. I had heard it all before and at that so, so much better. And then the singer introduced a song called 'Drift'. It was far slower and did have a touch of quality. Yes, it did sound familiar as well, but here it did not matter. Finally, a spark came across. The music had the people swaying and touched them. The two or three songs that followed, were played with more fire in them and made me understand why Great Gable is able to cross an ocean or two and invited to play a festival like Indiestad. It was a tight affair though. Had I left, just like my friend present did, then everything before 'Drift' would have been my final words.

Photo: Wout de Natris

CVC

The surprise of the day played upstairs in the small room of Paradiso. To a packed room CVC from Wales rocked in a way I hadn't heard since the 1970s and at that only on record. With a six men line up, with a lead singer, who was not the lead singer in about half of the songs, the band recreated everything from funk bands like the Average White Band and Atlanta Rhythm Section to large disco bands from the late 70s and all spiked with a dose of rock that made all songs incredibly swinging. The three part vocal harmonies made the songs shine even more. All five musicians are incredibly good on their respective instruments. I heard fantastic drumming, great bass parts, inventive lead lines and incredible rhythmic playing with keyboards to top it all off. There was even a suave David Sanborn style sax solo! The swing was always there, making the audience move the whole time. Equally important, the band showed that it wanted to play these songs for the audience. They wanted us to have a good time, then to go home and tell all our friends about CVC. Here you are. Now for a question, which famous riff was played? 'I Want You (She's So Heavy') of 'In The Flesh'? at first I thought the latter and then started doubting afterwards. The cover of 'Lady (Hear Me Tonight)' came as a surprise, just as surprising to find out that the song is not from the late 70s but from 2000. How do I know it then, as I'd stopped listening to pop radio for years by then. It didn't matter, CVC is one swinging rock machine with more influences worked into its music than I have space here to mention. My friend even heard Pink Floyd the whole time. As a side note, a comment on how good Brexit is working for bands. CVC did not bring any merchandise, as it was too much of a hassle, losing a lot of money on the side.

The nice thing about a festival is that it can surprise and with CVC it did. La Luz delivered and totally lived up to expectations.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght