That is was going to be the lead in into a long show weekend was pretty much a given, that the cozy cellar downstairs at the Komet was half filled with people that looked like being around for MOi!n It’s Hamburg 7 was a bit of a surprise.
As much as a surprise that the support slot was with the Heartliners, as they turned out to be far off from Power Pop but firmly rooted into 1990’s sunny California Pop Punk.
It was only their 2nd show but it was far off from being amateurish … all of the musicians seemed to be very professional with their instruments and all songs where faultless.
Heartliners (Komet, Hamburg, 29.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
How did it sound? It sounded a wee bit fallen out of time – whilst i really did dig into this 30 years back (as it sounded new), it now sounds “old” to me. Funny feeling.
But hey, who am i to complain? It was a tight, fast and upbeat set and by no means it was boring. I guess they will make their way and i will come across them soon again.
Next Alvilda, traded by some as a really hot band. To be honest, i fell for them too last year and got their really sweet EP in August 2021 (from Alien Snatch!). And ever since was thinking who the hell will be able to lure them over? Wild Wax did and and put them on a short run from Hamburg to Dresden and then Berlin. Learning German in 3 days i guess.
Alvilda kicked off like this:
They where not really happy with the sound, specifically with the feedback from the main mike (as they choose to slip down from the tiny stage the mike technically was in front of the PA speakers – inviting feedback). Once the main singer move back on stage that got corrected and it sound a wee bit better.
They play exactly like on the EP, enchanting Power Pop presented by always smiling and singing ladies. And much better than some of the girly Schrammel Pop that was en-vogue in the 90s.
Alvilda (Komet, Hamburg, 29.09.2022 (c) gehkacken.de 2022)
Whilst it was indeed enchanting it was also a wee bit amateurish, sometimes that added on the positive side, sometimes it actually destroyed the nice and cozy pop feeling.
What it sure was was authentic and real. And that by far outweighs any shortcomings. And whilst their songs are brief and their set is no longer than 12 songs they still please the ear (and, let’s be frank, the eye).
They did not play too long, smiled away all mishaps and got a good share of applause from the audience. I would love to see them on a bigger stage, with better sound, knowing that they would charm the audience anyway.
It was worth to note that they also lured Giuda into the Komet, who where already in town to headline Friday at the MOi!n It’s Hamburg 7 over at the Monkeys.
For me it was nice to now be able again to have short strolls to shows and it was a perfect start into the weekend already on Thursday. It was with best companionship, uplifting mu-sick and thus a good evening.
Fun fact: “alvilda” is danish and means “forever”. I guess i should have approach the band asking a question in danish…how would they have responded?
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