Back to the Hafenklang, where much to my surprise Kate Clover was due to play the smaller upstairs rather than a fully packed downstairs. From where i sit she should already have made it so much bigger, on the other hand maybe she thrives going through the ropes ctd.
She got nicely paired with Küken, who just played 2 days prior with The Law and another band outside Hamburg in Elmshorn, a slot i unfortunately had to miss.
Küken had to kick off early, as the whole thingy was supposed to by over by 21:30 sharp. They took a bit of grace time but then in their typical nonchalant & unpretentious manner they took the stage, smiled at each other and …
… pushed the audience with their unique wall of sound.
I honestly can not think of any other band around that offers the same. Period.
For a surprise first time attendee of a Küken show they might sound all the same but if you give it a careful listen, if you see the subtle hooks, riffs and breaks within, then you realize what a perfect niche they have created.
And how they nurture and grow it.
Küken (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.10.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
Those accustomed to Küken largely smiled away and slightly moved their upper bodies, those new to the proceedings stood in awe. Among them Kate and her band, i would wildly guess they have not had heard anything like that prior.
15 songs, spanning across all their output. I guess i am damn lucky to be in Hamburg, where i can see them as often as possible.
In sum simply a near perfect show, a mate noted “best ever show i saw of them” and i got to admit that i had the same feeling. They are more then ready for their upcoming two weeks tour, if you have a chance to see them – go!
And whilst at it, buy their 2026 EP. It is out now for some time and in my household was/is on heavy rotation.
I am yet to see another band that condenses a full concept album into an EP of give-and-take 6 minutes. Best Sicilian holiday for the least amount of effort and cost!
Go – see them live!
Next Kate Clover and her band, dressed for the occasion.
All though it is a repeat i have to say that i fall for every band that chooses to wear stage uniform, chooses to dress in a selective way. So here is Kate in a shiny glittery red dress with black lighting and her band in black tuxedos, red shirts, black skinny ties, red socks and shiny black shoes.
And a red neon “Kate Clover” sign on the bass drum.
Dressed to deliver a show. And convincing me to a large extend already prior to the first chord.
Kate Clover (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.10.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
Once that first chord came that feeling of “it’ll be good” turned into “it is great!“. Sure the show largely centers around Kate (sans center lights) but that is how she choose to bring her music to world: By her own. That why it is called “Kate Clover” on the ticket.
They blasted through the set that somewhat was cut back by Kate by 3 songs, damn! Wild guess: As a professional musician she simply choose to match the 15 songs of Küken to make it a round evening for the audience…
Still, it was great Power Pop set, with a speedy & hard undercurrent. And within that covering a wide space (of sounds). In an interview in 2017 Kate set the markings for that space very self-assured:
And that is why i wondered how it comes about that she is still playing rather low key shows and venues.
In a better world, she would make it bigger, or?
Toss that thought, enjoy the moment with Kate Clover:
The only “downside” was that it was quite loud and not all the vocals came across fully audible as a consequence. For my mu-sick-al receptors the backing band volume could have been tuned down a wee bit (and the lights could have been a bit brighter).
The show sure had some of these stereotypical American showmanship elements (and some of them i simply can do without) but by and large Kate kept it at a good level and made sure the audience had a good time.
Kate Clover (Hafenklang, Hamburg, 05.10.2026)
(c) gehkacken.de 2026
As far as i got it this was a touring band, compiled specifically for the EU run this year and if i was not completely off it included the Bass player of The Manikins (the SE one rather then the AUS ones from 1976).
No clue how many also played on her very recent 2nd LP, but here you go anyway:
The icing actually was that not only Kate and the band dressed for the occasion but she also made sure only ever high quality custom Tortex plectrums where used in … red and white.
Just think of this one with a little bend on top and i’d like to think she gave me a red heart. I am melting…
Kate Clover, a great musician, a great performer and the best word to describe her is simply enchanting. Period.
I do hope that this month long run through Europe with daily shows is boosting her to the point that her next return over here gets her bigger stages, more listeners (than the max 60ish folks attending) and in return even more energy back to her.
Perfect Monday with two convincing acts from different angles and with different sound. There ain’t nuthin’ better for a Monday evening.
