Live Review: The Vintage Caravan - The Globe, Cardiff
31st October 2022
Words & Photos: Paul Hutchings
It may have been All Hallows’ Eve weather on the windy streets of the Welsh capital, but this final night of The Vintage Caravan’s 39 dates through Europe and the UK was devoid of goblins, ghouls and ghosties. Instead, quite thankfully, the hardy 100 or so souls who ventured into the dark and wintry evening were rewarded with one of the best shows of 2022.
It was just over a year ago that Northampton four-piece Empyre opened a hot and sweaty evening supporting Mason Hill at this very venue. I was impressed with them then and there is no doubting that they have grown in stature and confidence since. Their music remains intense, dark, and intelligent. The quartet use sweeping movements that leave you breathless, providing atmospheric songs that go deep. The slowly filling venue takes a while to warm to the band, but Henrik Steenholdt’s delivery soon hits home. A few fans in the audience are more familiar with the band’s work, with cheers for latest single ‘Relentless’, the forerunner to next March’s new album, and one which we are urged to “stream the fuck out of”. Empyre draw deep from their previous release ‘Self Aware’, opening with ‘Waking Light’ and closing with ‘New Republic’. Musically they are a perfect foil for the headliners, concentration focused on their music, which is emotionally intense, progressive, and a lovely challenge to categorise.
There’s plenty of grunge in their sound, with Steenholdt’s vocals at times echoing the late Chris Cornell. And yet there is also Americana, steely hard rock and adventurous variation that steers the band away from many they have played alongside. They aren’t your typical hard rock outfit and are genuinely a band whose sum of their parts brings together a band who stand apart from so many in the scene today. David Coles lead work is simply beautiful; at times I found myself holding my breath as I watched him draw another succinct lead break with ease and style. “We are here to kill the vibe” deadpans Steenholdt. But they have the quality to slot into many different shows, and with a tight, skilled, and captivating set, they ensure that the Merch stand sells a few more CDs before the night is over. This is a band whose new album is already on the must have list for 2023.
Find me a more energetic and vibrant band than The Vintage Caravan and I’ll chew your arm off to get to it. The Icelandic trio have been on the road for two months, completing some unfinished business with Opeth, their 2019 sparring partners, and more recently as the headline act. Their socials indicate that many of their European shows have been sold out, and it should have been that way in the UK as well. But we are sometimes slow to catch up over here, our insular tastes often scared by subtlety, talent, and variation on the norm. Such is the case with The Vintage Caravan and their broad canvas of music which touches many styles and genres. Five albums into a career that has already spanned two decades, Óskar Logi Ágústsson – guitars, lead vocals, Alexander Örn Númason – bass, backing vocals and drummer Stefán Ari Stefánsson are now a seasoned and well-tuned outfit.
They arrive to a heroic welcome and proceed to play for over 90 minutes at high octane intensity. There’s movement, much movement from Óskar and Alexander. From the moment that Stefán takes a deep breath and counts the band into ‘Whispers’, the front two are off. The stage may be small, but there are high kicks, head banging, and an at times slightly concerning amount of energy from two guys who should surely be thinking only of home. “We are feeding off your energy” says Alexander, encouraging the passionate audience to push the band even harder. Stefán hits loud, his small kit comprising few pieces, but he does everything he needs to do with it.
Unsurprisingly, the band bulk the set with songs from the excellent 2021 release ‘Monument’. ‘Crystallised’ gets the crowd singing, whilst ‘Can’t Get You Off My Mind’ demonstrates that you can make a huge noise with a small number of people. It’s a cracking song which really lifts the spirts. There’s plenty of zany humour on stage, with all three band members taking it in turns to chat. A song about “no toes” is followed by a song “for those with toes”. Maybe you had to be there to understand that one. But as much as the band are entertaining, you cannot lose sight (or sound) about the stunning musicianship that the trio demonstrate. Óskar shreds with the best, as he demonstrates on multiple occasions with fluid solos and mesmerising fretwork. Alexander locks in his bass low, tight to Stefán’s pounding drums. But the band also take it down a notch. ‘This One’s for Julia’, requested by one Julia in the audience beforehand is simply jaw droppingly beautiful; a combination of ballad and rocker in one delightful ball. It’s a truly magical moment in an evening crammed full of goodness and the young lady is absolutely made up.
‘Babylon’ is one of three from ‘Arrival’, and another that brings excellent vibes and audience participation. More laughs and banter see the band launch into brief snippets of ‘Reign in Blood’ and ‘The Trooper’ before a tender moment sees them end the set with the delicate closing song on ‘Monuments’, in ‘Clarity’ which sees Alexander play some acoustic guitar. It’s over too soon, and although we get a rousing encore of ‘Crazy Horses’, the evening comes to an end with Óskar proclaiming that “I’ve broken a string, that’s it!” The band remain talking to fans though, and as we leave into the rain sodden evening, it was with massive smiles on faces. Two diverse and technically excellent bands, who play music that is clever, sensitive, and full of passion. You just can’t get much better.
Photo credits: Paul Hutchings
