Brudenell Social Club | Beat In My Bones.

I remember being at the first ever L.A. Witch UK show. It was at the Shacklewell Arms in 2016 and there were definitely more of us in the room than there should have been. It was packed, it was sweaty, and it was one of the best shows to have ever been played at that venue. It was one of those gigs that just stay with you. It came from YEARS of waiting for that moment. I wrote about them in 2011/2012, and it’s been an obsession ever since. They are a joy to see live, and they have this sound that is just so cool. When we went to see them last night, I’m pretty sure I kept turning to my girlfriend to tell her how cool they are. I was just in awe. I just bloody love them.

One of the best things about an L.A. Witch show is that it’ll leave you wishing you could start a band, and that’s pretty much a common theme for when I go to a gig. In a past life, I probably was in a band. Or maybe when I die and come back again- I’ll be in a band. I’ve loved seeing how the band have grown and developed their sound over the years (if I count how long I’ve been a fan, I’ll start to feel old again and panic!) They just have this dreamy sound and beautiful stage presence that has you entirely hooked. They rip through their set (with an encore!) and tear the Brude apart!

The songs from their new record, DOGGOD were clearly meant to be heard live. The record is a work of art, and to see the songs live take it elsewhere. I’m pretty sure I spent the whole set with my eyes closed and swaying. I was just really happy- and L.A. Witch will make you do that. Their music will cast a spell on you, and you’re hooked. You’re completely all in. They are easily one of the best bands to see live, and the way they play together is just a delight to see. The only thing that’s offputting is that the front row is full of old men. I’ve noticed this every single time I’ve seen them (and other female fronted bands), and they are evidently not taking videos of the band playing. They are zooming in on their faces and legs. It’s absolutely vile and it makes you want to take the phones out of their hands and smash it up. Maybe we should start doing that. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it makes bands feel when they do this, because it’s bloody uncomfortable to see. Just stop it. They’re old enough to be your kids. Imagine if some creep was doing this to your kid.

The band rip through a solid mix of old and new songs, and it just makes you really treasure this band more than you already did. For me, hearing Baby In Blue Jeans live will ALWAYS do something to my soul. At one point I nearly did cry and it’s fully down to how gentle Sade’s voice is on this song. She has such a distinctive and soulful voice, and this song really really shows it. 777 live is like a religious experience, and the balance of old and new songs just really shows how solid and influential their sound is. It’s so distinctive and just comforting but also pushes you into the unknown. You don’t know what you’ll get, and that’s what makes them such an exciting band. You simply could never ever get bored of L.A. Witch.

There are so many highlights during the set, and I Wanna Lose is easily one of them- especially when they all just rip the place apart. The way the set flows is just divine, and given how strong each song they have is- how on earth would you expect them to craft such a tight setlist? Are songs missing that you want to hear? Absolutely. But does it matter? Not at all! Every song is just a delight to witness. Someone called out for Motorcycle Boy to be played, and sure that would have been a treat for the ears- but we got Starred which is truly something else live. Like, if I wanted to tell you which song summed up just how great L.A. Witch are live- this would have been it. The way Sade just annihilates the guitar and at times I felt like I had found The Cramps for the first time watching her, Irita is THE coolest bass player you’ll ever see, and makes it look so effortless. Ellie is probably the most underrated drummer around and makes it look SO easy, and the addition of Clamart on this tour is next level. All 4 of them are just phenomenal musicians, and put that altogether? Well, you’ve got the best band around.

When L.A. Witch tour over here it’s always really special because it’s so rare. There were a few years in between this tour and last, and I hope the wait isn’t so long for the next one. They’re one of those bands that I could happily watch every night and not get bored. They’re just such an exciting band and they just really, really make you love music. I hope that in the crowd there was a young kid listening and thinking, “I need to do this!” And left inspired wanting to create a band because let’s be honest- L.A. Witch are the kind of band who will have and will be inspiring kids to pick up an instrument and make their own noise. If I was 20 years younger, I’d have done the same.

It was some show, and seeing Sade afterwards was a personal highlight. She’s truly the coolest and kindest souls out there. There’s still a few UK dates left, so get yourself a ticket and go see the best around! Honestly, L.A. Witch just make you really dig music. There’s something about their dark and eerie sound that feels like home, and it makes everything alright- y’know? That’s such a rare thing, and when you find it, it just means the world and beyond. I just really love this band and I think I get that across with everything I write about them. I just adore them so much.

As I often do, I thought of my friend Raz whilst at the show. When we walked in, I saw someone at the front and from behind he looked exactly like him. I cried because part of me wanted to believe he hadn’t left us 2 months ago but also the realisation of him not being here. He would have loved the show last night, even if it was in “dirty Leeds.” So again, this one is for you Raz. You’d have loved it.

Some bands are meant to be on stage. Some bands truly shine and show you what they are made of when they are on stage. You can add Bambara to that list. There is something about their live shows that just makes you feel like the world doesn’t exist- all that matters is you, the band, and the music. There is nothing better than a loud band on record being exceptionally loud live.

I’m not sure how you’re meant to go about your daily life after seeing Bambara live, but I can try! Firstly, the venue was incredible. I’ve got a list of venues in my head that I want to go to, and the Brudenell is one of them. The venue is unreal. The sound is incredible, and wherever you stand- you can see! I’m not tall at all, and being able to get a bloody good view of the band/stage was very much welcomed.

The band rip right through old and new songs, and they have never sounded so good. The band have added the extremely talented Lilah Larson (my love for Lilah started from their previous band, Sons of An Illustrious Father so seeing Lilah on the stage last night blew my mind!) The energy from the band seeped right into the crowd, and it was a joy to witness. I was particular in awe of Reid managing to be on stage in leather trousers and a leather jacket the whole time! Let it be known he is the only person in the world who should ever have the right to wear leather trousers- he makes it look cool. Anyone else looks downright daft. Birthmarks is one of the years most powerful records, and the way they come across live is equally as powerful.

In an ideal world, Bambara would have played for 2 hours but that’s just me being absolutely besotted with the band and wanting to watch them live all the time. In just over an hour, they annihilate the Brudenell in the most divine way possible. Nothing feels the same afterwards. I don’t feel the same. I’m not a religious person, but this felt like a religious experience. They’re a band that MUST be seen live. Seeing songs like Letters from Sing Sing, Loretta and of course, Jose Tries To Leave live are wonderful. Then you’ve got the heavenly Stay Cruel (Lilah’s vocals on this were haunting- what a voice!) and opening with Pray To Me- that’s how you do it. Every song felt like you were witnessing a sermon, and Reid is the preacher. The chemistry they have on stage is also a beautiful thing to see. You can really sense that they all adore each other, and playing these shows really means something to them. You can tell that it’s not just another show or job for them- it feels like EVERYTHING to them, and that’s why it feels so special. I really hope they end up being a band that the next generation (and after) name as an influence for starting a band because they have that power about them. The world they create on record translates so beautifully in a live setting, and it’s down to all of them being exceptional at what they do.

I’ve seen the band live a few times, but hand on heart, this was the best I’ve ever seen them. Maybe it’s the addition of Lilah that adds something to the band. I don’t know. But what I do know, is that this is band that get better every single time. The energy they have is unreal. Blaze is one of, if not, the best drummer around. He’s a menace. I wish I had even a fraction of his energy. The likes of Serfina ripped the place apart (someone even asked for it to be played again as the encore, and who could ever be mad at that suggestion?!) I’d be happy with every single song played, but we don’t always get what we want and that’s totally fine.

Bambara are a band that need to be seen live. My words don’t do them justice. Anything questionable video clips you see online don’t do their performance justice all. They’re a sacred band and must be treated as such. You’ll feel utterly different and entirely changed after you’ve seen them live, and you’ll want that feeling forever. I don’t think they’re going to be stopping any time soon, so you have no excuse. Go see them and feel something no other band will ever give you.