Calva Louise
There is something about their collective presence on stage that harnesses more power, and creates deeper grooves, than a Norfolk tractor driving through a muddy field in March.
Calva Louise are a rock band that seemed destined to be – musicians from three different continents who just happened to meet, and together formed a band in London. Singer, guitarist and keyboard player Jess Allanic grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, before moving to Rouen in France where she met French bass player Alizon Taho. Together they moved to England, where they met New Zealand drummer Ben Parker, and Calva Louise was born. That was 2016.
I first heard them when they opened for Millie Manders and The Shut Up at what later became Voodoo Daddy's in October 2017. Whilst I don't remember much about that gig, Calva Louise obviously impressed me enough to go back and see them when they played the Waterfront Studio in both 2018 and 2020 (supporting Spring King and Strange Bones). They have since released four albums, and whilst their sound is not my usual fare, there is something about their collective presence on stage that harnesses more power, and creates deeper grooves, than a Norfolk tractor driving through a muddy field in March.
This time round it is their 2025 album release, 'Edge of The Abyss', that dominates the set-list, and they open with 'Tunnel Vision', a track infused with a dubstep beat that takes me back to something that Pendulum might have recorded. 'WTF' is filled with latent anger, yet their songs seem slightly softened when the latin vocals in the likes of 'El Umbral' and 'Lo Que Vale' reveal a lyrical beauty hidden beneath the crashing and intense power of the guitars and drums. Allanic even manages to throw a few piano arpeggios into the mix during 'Lo Que Vale', her electronic keyboard sliding out from its counter-balanced stand in front of her, then disappearing just as smoothly in time for the next burst of guitar.
The absence of any material from the first two albums means that much of this live set is fresh to my ears, but there are still four tracks from 2023's excellent 'Over The Threshold' that make the cut, including my personal favourite ‘Con Corazón’ and the night closes with the screaming vocals of 'Opportunista' echoing through my head as we file out of the Waterfront Studio and into the night.
Opening support Knife Bride hail from Brighton, a four-piece prog-goth crossover fronted by singer Mollie Clack, a brooding but powerful and theatrical presence whose brings both Kate Bush and The Bride from Kill Bill to mind in equal measures. Their 'Sorry About The Plague' EP is out later this month, and tracks 'Crucify', 'Alone At The Altar', 'Porcelain' and 'Lilies' all get an airing, together with earlier singles 'Fang Dummy (from 2022), and Melancholia (from 2024). With an impressive drummer in the shape of Sean Millsopp, a bass player who looks like a young Bill Bailey, and driven by the razor-sharp riffs of guitarist Sean Windle, Knife Bride may not be my usual listen, but if bands like Bring Me The Horizon and Spiritbox float your boat, then give Knife Bride a listen.
