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Kenelis 'Move' EP Launch @ The 100 Club
Friday 7 December 2012
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| Photo credit: D Strachan |
I woke up fairly certain that the anthemic hook from 'Don't You Kill My Rock' had been reverberating around my head throughout the night, it was certainly still very prominent as I began to get ready for the day after the night before. That night had started with a delightful selection of Lebanese dishes before arriving at the legendary 100 Club in London's Oxford Street. I was there to see the awesome Kenelis live for a third time, this time for the launch of the latest recording – 'MOVE' a four track offering that showcases the best of Mel Sanson's latest work.
After a brief browse of the crammed photo gallery of previous acts to play in the venue, and recording interviews with Mel and JOANovARC it wasn't long before the first act were getting started. Words From Willis are an energetic four-piece, from High Wycombe, offered an interesting showcase for Steph Willis' intelligent writing. Leading with vocals and acoustic guitar, Steph was very ably backed up by Nij on guitar, Mike on bass and Tim on drums. The venue's crystal clear sound system ensured that Steph's lyrics were readily appreciated as they were delivered via a strong voice toned with echoes of P!nk. After the first couple of songs I worried that each had too similar feel and rhythm to them; however, that concern was unfounded as the set progressed. Although I hinted at some similarities to P!nk's voice, that does not in any way suggest that the music was in any way any attempt to replicate as some clone act. The instrumentation was tight, honest and unpretentious rock music with Steph's clearly enunciated lyrics as the icing on top. All too soon, I had enjoyed a selection of eight songs, including those from their EP 'Superhero'. 'In Dreaming' stood out as perhaps the strongest, but I always hesitate to be too specific after only one hearing. I will now be seeking to listen again to the EP and any other tracks that I can locate on-line as I do believe the band has great potential.
Second to grace the stage were the four-piece female rock powerhouse known as JOANovARC, the first all-female band to feature on the X-Box 360's 'Rockband'. From London, the band features sisters Sam and Shelley, Sam providing vocals whilst alternating between guitar and bass, with Shelley leading on guitar and providing backing vocals. The other half of the band comprises Laura who also shares vocal, guitar and bass duties, and Debbie on drums. I had previously come across them via Cuillin FM's 'Highland Uproar Challenge' around a year ago with a song called 'Peace Of Mind' which led me to appreciate their excellent video produced and edited by Rachel Price of BBC Bristol. I was also familiar with 'Say Sayonara', one of the songs featured in the X-Box package. Good as both these songs are, they were blown into touch by the entrancing live presence. The played so well together and kept the audience entertained as they powered their way through a varied repertoire of eight songs. This was another impressive set by a band clearly extremely comfortable on the stage as they demonstrated their skills. There were shades of Motorhead and many other classic rock acts, yet they still managed to stamp their own individuality on their performance. Another observation that I must make relates to drummer Debbie, her face was such an absolute joy to see; here was somebody so clearly happy to be behind the drum kit providing a rhythmically perfect backdrop to the others. If it were possible to bottle her infectious enthusiasm and sheer joy I'm sure it could be sold for a fortune. Maybe that would be worth a pitch on 'Dragons' Den'!
Another excellent observation would be the slick changeovers between acts which meant only minimal waits, ensuring that the mood was maintained. After a second brief set-up break, Mel and her band were getting started. In addition to Mel's vocals and guitar, Jack provided guitar, Tristan bass and Matt was in charge of the drums. I have to admit a certain bias here when I report that Mel absolutely owned the stage; with her 'big' hair, colourful eye make-up and distinctive boots to add to the stunning music, she is a true star performer. First off was the song that had remained in my head through the night, 'Don't You Kill My Rock'. A selection of older favourites followed – 'Sick', 'Jealous', 'Paperskin' and 'We Could Die Any Minute' – despite them being very familiar to me it was so good to appreciate them as impassioned and urgent live deliveries. Jack's guitar was flawless, whilst Tristan's bass (another five string bass as with JOANovARC) seamlessly melded with Matt's mesmerising, at times tribal, drum work, to provide a rock-solid foundation for Mel's insistent and captivating presence.
The set came to a close with the remaining three songs from the EP – 'GFY', 'Open Your Eyes' and finally 'Moving To Brighton'. The last based on Mel's move to live in Brighton which has clearly been a highly inspirational event leading to the recording of this EP. The soaring and melodic guitar work at points in this song simply have to be heard to be fully appreciated. Punk – included, garage – included, rock – included; at the end of day, however, I'm not too worried about trying to classify Kenelis as to me, they are quite simply KENELIS, a wonderfully unique band that I am so glad to have stumbled across! Mel is such a wonderfully warm and pleasant person in person yet her songs enable her to express a different side to her with regard to how she views some of the situations that life has presented for her. Following an energetic cover as encore, which I'm afraid my ageing brain allowed me to recognise but not recall what it was but luckily my daughter was on hand to confirm Nirvana's 'Territorial Pissings'; all too soon the night was over. Thankfully a great many excellent memories have been imprinted inside my head and I will remember my first visit to The 100 Club for a long time to come whilst looking forward to the next opportunity to catch Kenelis live again.
Review by D. Strachan
'Move' is available on itunes and all major download sites. Release date 10th December.
For those of you that enjoy the whole creative package of a music release Kenelis have an eco-friendly CD digipack with full lyrics & exclusive Artwork by jTayam available on www.kenelis.com/music
Free download of single 'Jealous' from previous album 'Fake' is also available on www.kenelis.com
Venue: Karamel Club, Wood Green
Dates: 6-8 Decemeber; 12-15 December
Price: £8 in advance, £10 on the door
Karamel is a friendly, intimate venue. The evening's entertainment is complimented by the offer of a pre-show meal at the Karamel cafe. It is well worth taking up the offer to have a great menu choice, excellent food and fab value. (But do book your table in advance as it can get busy in there!)
For their opening night, the Darlings played to a packed house, many of whom were faithful Darlings followers, but plenty of new faces too.
The panto itself turned tradition on its head, as we've come to expect, and takes the audience, as well as Wendy, John and Michael on a fantastical trip - where fairies do exist "I believe in fairies" - to a lesbian utopia/dystopia (it could have gone either way) called 'Well I Never' Land. This is the place where Lost Lesbians live in some kind of women filled Hedonism that has lost it's way a bit due to the lesbians all thinking about the one that got away. Until the big happy ending that is.
Innuendo was the theme of the night, in this funny adaptation (or rather, lesbianification) of the traditional take on panto, in this well written script very suited to its audience.
What really shined through was the comradary of the cast, much bigger than last year, and team spirit as the players supported each other through typical panto comic shenanigans.
Where else will you find a Spanish crocodile, and a gangsta mermaid alongside historical heroic lesbians of days gone by? And it all just about working in a surreal sort of way.
If you want fun, christmas spirit, the panto participation ("oh yes you do") and innuendo by the buckets, pearls, fists, and then some, this is the play for you.
Details of Peta Pam and all the other LGBT pantos are available on our Panto Feature.
Review by Katie
Performance: I Stand Corrected
Theatre: Ovalhouse
Dates: 20 November - 8 December 2012 (Tues-Sat 7.45pm, Sat 8 Dec matinee 3pm)
Tickets: £14 standard, £10 under 26/Equity/BECTU, £8 concession
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| Flyer for I Stand Corrected |
This poignant, emotional, relevant and topical performance had the whole audience enthralled from the very first moment.
The first ten minutes is almost silent apart from the word 'You' and the occasional bang on a dustbin. Zodwa's face is kept hidden until her eyes emerge from behind the dustbin, wide and alert telling their own story.
Mamela Nyamza plays Zodwa, a bride to be in Cape Town. The acting by Mamela is beyond exceptional. Her body movements, facial expressions and vocals (there were no words) were exquisite an emotive and said far more than any scripted words could.
The performance is deigned to draw the audience in, Mojisola Adebayo plays Donna who is waiting for Zodwa at the alter on their wedding day. She talks directly to the audience as the wedding guests, asking the time and asking an individual to hold her bouquet. This drew the audience further into the performance by making the audience a third character.
The story covers so many topical worldwide issues, including gay marriage in the UK, colonialism and many 'un-African' imported cultures.
The power of this performance is the story, which unfolds layer by layer, and in doing so unveils the meaning of the earlier scenes, taking the audience through a full spectrum of emotions and back again.
Review by Naomi Bennett-Hall
Created, directed and performed by Mojisola Adebayo and Mamela Nyamza
Venue: Scala
Date: Friday 30 November
Cost: £12 advance/£15 on door/£25 VIP
Despite the cold wait in the queue and the slow entry process (we have been promised a slicker process next time to get us all in as quickly as possible) it was great to be back at old faithful Scala.
This 4 in one event brought together some of the best of a broad range of events aimed at lesbians & bi women and the genderqueer of London. It feels like the return of the superclub, where different rooms host different banging tunes, live music, wild entertainment and plenty of women.
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| Lovely photograph taken by Leng Montgomery |
The venue lent itself pretty well to the split of events. Stav B's Intergalactic Alchemy held court in the first floor and bar area, with cool retro tunes, live performances, fire eaters and for something different a face painter and Barber shop decorating the guests throughout the night. It was interactivity and abstract at its best in the way things worked together.
The main dancefloor and stage hosted Ruby Tuesdays with a full line up of DJs throughout the night, and headline act Peaches who was amazing singing, MCing and mixing the decks. She was clearly a popular draw and the guests fled to the dance floor when she came on stage, for a well executed, flamboyant, edgy, class act show.
The top floor, from Club Boy vs Club DIP, hosted some live music throughout the night and provided another bar to purchase drinks.
The G3 hosted VIP lounge looked very popular but we weren't VIP enough to make it inside.
Bar prices were typical central London prices, although Red Stripe Beer was on offer. We did have to wait 20 minutes to be served at one point... but that just proves there were a lot of women there.
It was an interesting, fun and successful night; really great to see a collaboration of 3 very different events - can't wait for the next one.
We're confident this won't be a one-off since it was so successful, and it was really good to see such a wide range of women in one space, which was down to the excellent choice of such diverse event organisers. It would have been so easy to have chosen 3 events that had overlapping customer bases, but this was not the case, and the event was all the better for it!
