I am told that Sugarvalve are a 'heavier Foo Fighters' but for the few songs that I hear they sound more like a bad Aerosmith. Attempting a few too many all-American rock ballads luckily I only heard the end and an appearance by the enigmatic Queen Adreena (who recently supported the Foos) is imminent on this night; one of four dates following their extensive UK tour in October.
Never having heard them before, I know of Queen Adreena through word of mouth on the basis of their stunning live performances - notably headlining the Carling Premier Stage at Leeds Festival this year. I had been told that the lead singer Katie Jones is an influence on such rock divas Courtney Love and PJ Harvey and therefore expected bitter, feminist heavy pop-rock but it is safe to say that nothing prepared me for the experience (for want of a a better word) that is Queen Adreena.
Visually, Queen Adreena begin with the afore mentioned Katie Jones; centre stage and centre of our mesmerised vision for the duration of the gig. A nymph like woman dressed in a maiden dress - surely pilfered from a set of A Midsummer Night' s Dream, English rose complexion and long dark tousled hair. OK. So you're thinking 'tortured drama queen alert!' and you might be right to an extent but stay with me - there's more. The bassist, in a suit and cocked hat looks like a cross between a 19th century villain and something from a Clockwork Orange, the guitarist is much the same and the manic drummer, covered in black body paint had an almost tribal menace about him. It's fair to say that this band were likely to imprint some impression on your memory even before the music begins.
No introduction, the powerful guitar begins and pounding drums and almost unnoticeably a wail is emitted from the microphone. Her mouth barely moving, draped around the microphone stand Katie Jones is beginning her haunting outpourings. The sound might not be harmonic but it clicks. That's what's so striking about Queen Adreena - that they seem completetly and effortlessly together despite Katie Jones seeming far, far away. They work around repetitious mesmeric riffs and manage to make sure that any moments of harmony seem accidental within the swirling sea of noise and despite being loud it's never hard on the ears.
The music is sensual, seductive, often dark and sleazy, sometimes a little bit scary and frankly, the crowd tonight don't know what to do with themselves - stood in jeans and t-shirt with a pint, as the woman onstage seemingly pours out her soul -exorcising some unknown demon as she wraps herself in the microphone lead. It's safe to say that everyone is equally entranced, drawn into Katie Jones' introspective yet extroverted world which seems full of secrets and certainly more enticing than the sweaty Cockpit. It's an effect which both Courtney Love and PJ Harvey would kill for - she doesn't even need to speak to the crowd and even the words she sings are impossible to decipher. Then it ends. They leave the stage abruptly as a gobsmacked audience try to work out what they've just heard and how to describe it to their friends. This is the best I can manage:
mojo- a magic spell, hex, or charm; broadly : magical power
historically said to be delivered through South African tribal music
Katie Jones certainly had some hold over the punters tonight and I'm wary of listening to their new album Taxidermy because it's bound to fall short of the live performance. The same as I wouldn't want to see the band enjoying a cup of tea and reading the newspaper - Queen Adreena were like an apparition, weaving music into our consciousness and then disappearing.Their bizarre attire never seeming more natural or appropriate - if they're playing a role, they're damn good actors. Do whatever you can to see them live and you might see what I'm banging on about.
Gig Date: Sunday, 10th December 2000 | 164 page views.
