Live Review: Calva Louise - Deaf Institute, Manchester
8th July 2024
Support: Cody Frost and Bobby Wolfgang
Words & Photos: Julian Tanner
A busy week of gigs begins with a Monday night adventure into Manchester, to the city's Deaf Institute - a venue I've somehow not been to before. I arrive early to join a small queue that has already begun outside, which keeps growing as the door time arrives, and passes. Spread over three levels we're up the stairs to the top floor, thankfully they've moved the stage times to accommodate the late entry, so I get a chance to look around. There's a decent sized floor area, which then extends back with a banked seating area, as well as a small balcony which I thought was a guest/vip area, but is accessible to anyone. A chest height stage ensures everyone will get a great view of the show.
Tonight's special guest opening the show is Cody Frost. I've seen Cody open for Enter Shikari before, so I've got a rough idea of what's in store. I'm expecting a bright, handmade unique outfit, bright colourful punk rock hair and an attitude to match, for which I'm not disappointed. Hailing from Burnley, Cody has developed a following amongst the gig goers of Manchester, and the venue is packed as she takes to the stage with backing group "The Sweethearts". The energy in the room is electric from the start and it's not long before the floor begins to vibrate underfoot. Flailing limbs, both on stage and in the audience, and mosh pits are on display early, and are the order for the night. There's a lot of songs on the setlist to get through, but there's still time to engage with the crowd between tracks, and also time for a happy birthday sing along for drummer Rob.
Main support for this short run of intimate tour dates is Bobby Wolfgang (Strange Bones). A new name to me, but not to the crowd. It's even more packed than before and you can feel the anticipation in the room. With a massive double synth rig and their own drum set up, there's hardly any space left for the trio of performers, which certainly doesn't detract from the bands infectious energy and somehow doesn't stop Bobby from jumping all over the place. Blending rock with electronic music and punk the whole room is bouncing and Bobby's frequent jaunts off the stage in to, and on to the fervent crowd has them in rapture.
After their recent successful Download festival set, Calva Louise find time for a short run of intimate headline shows before heading to 2000 Trees. Formed in London in 2016, international members Jess (Venezuela), Alizon (France) and Ben (New Zealand/UK) have been tearing up stages across the country with their unique fusion of electronic rock.
As the lights dim and the intro tape begins the crowd lift themselves once more, and as opening track Belicoso kicks in the floor begins to feel like a trampoline. Vocalist Jess switches effortlessly between harsh screams and beautifully melodic cleans, all while supplying the heavy guitar riffs that are driving the crowd insane. There's the occasional break from the riffage as she slides the keyboard across from its stand, a mechanism designed and made by bassist Alizon, who also made the neon logo hung up behind drummer Ben.
With all three members playing multiple instruments and supplying vocals, the sound that Calva Louise attain makes you think it's a much larger production than it actually is, and the crowd are lapping it up. Jess takes time between tracks to explain what some of them mean, what the band means to them, and also to shout out her mum, who's on the merch for this run of dates.
All too soon the hour long set is about to come to a close, but Jess has one more delight for the crowd as she performs the final song, Feast is Over on the floor in amongst the crowd.
And that was Monday night! There's still a buzz in the room as people slowly make their way out, the merch table is busy as final mementos are grabbed, and for the bands on tonight's bill, they'll all move onto much bigger and brighter things, I'm sure of it.
Photo credits: Julian Tanner
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