By Jase Walker
It’s no secret to anyone that knows me that I’m a huge fan of PVRIS. After a random chance at reviewing a show of theirs a few years ago I’ve been a real diehard fan: ‘Evergreen’ was one of my top albums last year, so I obviously wouldn’t pass off a chance to catch them again, especially not with Scene Queen in support.
Outrageously catchy music on both artists’ parts tonight, I’ve got a small list of songs I’m hoping to hear from both, whether it’s ‘Dead Weight’ from PVRIS or ’18+’ from Scene Queen. Both artists ooze feminine energy and have the musical chops to back it up as well, to say I’m excited about this show tonight is a pretty big understatement!
Scene Queen definitely isn’t wasting the opportunity for a bigger stage as the sirens go off and the thunderous rumble fills the room, a full band as well eh? Oh yeah the sped up remix of Barbie as well, it’s bimbocore time! I can honestly say right from the start that Scene Queen has stepped her game up massively, this is a far cry from the solo performance with backing track that I saw the first time round! Fully leaning into her rabble rousing persona while smashing out ‘18+‘, which certainly ruffled a few feathers when it dropped. I really cannot overstate just how much this live show has improved, it sounds fantastic as well as being a hell of a show to watch as well. Scene Queen is on the top of her game right now and it shows.
The addition of a live guitarist and drummer to the live show has brought a real new dimension to Scene Queen’s live performance. Admittedly I forgot about the metal hoedown thing, Utrecht is absolutely onboard with that, unsurprising considering the amount of people I see wearing cowboy boots here (seriously). One thing that stands out to me with acts like Scene Queen as well as artists with a similar vibe such as Cassyette, is how they can create music like this, sing with mixed vocals and do a full choreography at a live show. Scene Queen goes hard as fuck live, there is absolutely no question about it, who else can make the Pink Panther theme go so hard?
PVRIS is about to begin and I feel chills run up my spine, will I be hoarse at work tomorrow? Let’s find out! Opening with ‘I Don’t Wanna Do This Anymore’, what a choice! The light show and sound is overwhelming and I am completely absorbed right from the start. I also wasn’t expecting ‘Dead Weight‘ so soon into the set as I was kinda thinking it’d be a set closer but I guess that just means we’ve got even bigger ones on the way! Every single time I’ve seen PVRIS, it’s gotten better and better, and I fall that little bit more in love with the music. I’m also a little bit pleased with myself as I’ve clearly listened enough to learn a lot of the words to the songs.
The sheer energy PVRIS delivers with their songs, even the softer and more ballady songs fill the room with beautiful sound and energy. The overall production is probably a bit more stripped back compared to the ‘Goddess’ tour I saw previously but oddly this helps keep the focus on the music and the band, although complimented by the gorgeous light show of soft hues and stark white lighting keeping the focus very much on Lynn. Nothing quite like finding someone on the right vibe as you and getting the chorus absolutely *pitch perfect* for ‘Senti-Mental‘ too, all adds to the joy of it all. Every time I’m always in awe of Lynn Gunn’s voice, it’s so unbelievably powerful and dripping with sweet emotion and never ceases to amaze.
And finally I get to sing along to ‘Hallucinations‘ as I’ve had in my head for two solid weeks leading up to this show! ‘Evergreen‘ goes down brilliantly as we move toward the end of what has been a fantastic show and I’m a little sad that it’s almost over but hopefully won’t be long until I manage to catch a show again. I mean I do feel sad that a show is over a lot considering the amount I go to but it doesn’t make it any easier. The sort of show PVRIS put on tonight really shows why I have such a massive passion for live music shows. It’s impossible to go to a show like this and not leave the venue feeling like you truly spent hours of your day in the best way you possibly could.
Finishing the set up with ‘Death Of Me‘ and encore of ‘My House‘ and ‘Goddess‘ (with a guest spot from Scene Queen as well no less!), wrapping up a set that’s been a great mix of old and new, PVRIS have once again been a spectacular show. It’s little wonder I’ve become such a massive fan of PVRIS and Lynn Gunn’s music when the shows are like this, absolutely spectacular.
- The tour continues in Manchester tomorrow (Sunday 12 May), Glasgow on Monday (13 May) and Birmingham on Wednesday (15 May, finishing in London on Thursday (16 May).
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