Music / Reviews
Live review: Lion Babe, Thekla
Quietly crawling onto the scene in December of 2012, you couldn’t help but feel mystified by Lion Babe. Their single Treat Me Like Fire, saw lead vocalist Jillian Hervey produce the kind of soothing, yet soulful vocal we hadn’t witnessed since the early 90s.
It was effortless, infectious and with the perfected beats of Lucas Goodman, a.k.a. Astro Raw, it was clear this duo were something special. So, it’s an understatement that their debut UK tour has been a long time coming.
Two and a half years later, the pair have collaborated with rapper Childish Gambino on single Jump Hi, with their latest single Wonder Woman produced by worldwide phenomenon Pharrell Williams. It seems the rest of the world are beginning to take notice of this distinctive duo.
is needed now More than ever
Tonight, they’re taking to the stage at Thekla and although this venue is on the smaller side, the band hold no punches when it comes to energy and stage production.
Hervey’s confidence is a beautiful sight – as a dancer, she moves flawlessly across the small platform and despite more than a few wardrobe malfunctions, she handles it like a true professional.
Joined by backing vocalists and a full live band, it’s a joy to witness Lion Babe’s usual stripped-back efforts as a tour-de-force; the three-part harmonies are silky smooth, the drum kit adds oomph to Goodman’s electronic aspects and as they reach their crescendo on songs such as Jump Hi and Jungle Lady, you can’t help but throw your hands in the air.
This is a band bound for stadiums. Young girls flock towards Hervey as their saviour and rightly so – this is a woman with true star quality.
She’s continually flawless, both in vocal ability and performance, with their cover of Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart – with a little Drake thrown in for good measure – proving a particular highlight.
Goodman barely opens his eyes during the set, immersed in a passionate sway with every beat and every strum; the atmosphere is nothing short of euphoric. Of course, as the band finish with Treat Me Like Fire, Thekla erupts into a frenzy, with most of the crowd singing word-for-word back at Hervey.
After those incredible 45 minutes, one thing’s for sure – Lion Babe are going to take over the world.
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