Reviewed onFriday March 4
If audience rowdiness is an indicator of how good a gig is going to be, then the antics during Waax’s support set were everything to go by. Lead singer Marie DeVita stalked the stage – eyes wide and arms whirling like she was possessed – as her rowdy contingent fired up the room with their endless energy and roaring vocals. A solid and committed bunch of fans reciprocated, thrashing their way through slamming drums and winding guitar as the rest of the crowd watched in awe. After Waax churned through their repertoire (‘Holy Sick’ and ‘I For An Eye’ were highlights), a driving crescendo of riffs saw things out as the fans threw themselves around like pinballs; we were well and truly warmed up.
Despite playing a reasonably small room, Ecca Vandal spared little in delivering a relatively large-scale production. Wide-ranging merch including stickers and zines, a full stage of gear and LED ‘EV’ symbols suspended either side of the band made it all feel much bigger. The sentiment was confirmed further when Vandal calmly strode onstage in Pepto-Bismol pink, exuding strength.
Launching into things vigorously with an assured demeanour, Vandal and her hard-working band – clearly enjoying themselves with exhaustive effort – sounded sharp, although there was a sense of repetition in their sound early on. Her eclecticism shone once they hit tracks from her End Of Time EP, thanks to punky infusions and bursts of dance synths, as well as on unreleased material featuring an abrupt change of pace.
When it came to ‘End Of Time’ – presumably close to the conclusion if you weren’t checking the clock – the room was heaving. Vandal’s current single saw that committed group at the front expand, attempt crowd-surfing and a stage invasion, all while Vandal was working every inch of the stage.
It was here when everything kicked in to a new gear. Calling everyone forward, Vandal coolly cruised through the last few songs, barely breaking a sweat. From body-moving hand claps on ‘Running At People Exiting’ to the jagged guitar riff of ‘Father Hu$$la’ and then unrelenting closer ‘Battle Royal’, Vandal and co. went from strength to strength.
Such a composed yet frenetic performance and dominant stage presence from an artist who’s just released her debut EP is a certain measure of what can only be big things ahead for Ecca Vandal. After that effort, she sure deserves it.
