The last time Kalandra played in Paris was less than a year ago, at Backstage by the Mill, co-headlining with A.A. Williams. The Norwegian band could almost have parked their bus in the same place for their return, as the Machine du Moulin Rouge was literally next door. It's easy to confess our doubts: in less than a year, would the venue double in size? Well, organisers Garmonbozia know their stuff and have been right on the money: if it's not sold out, the waiting line when the doors open is impressive. No one wants to be late, no one wants to miss the opening act, Lili Refrain.
LILI REFRAIN
Because those who know, know. Lili Refrain is phenomenal. In recent years, the Italian artist has already delighted the crowds of big festivals and opened for Heilung. It's enough to earn her a solid reputation, which she owes as much to her music as to her personality on stage. As usual, her one-woman show got off to a slow, atmospheric start with Ichor. She lays the foundations of her world, inspired by mysticism, folk, progressive music and even a touch of darkwave here and there. Her vocals are impressive, ranging from ominous incantations to baroque lamentations. Above all, Lili Refrain embodies her music with gestures and facial expressions that underline every action, every layer she adds to her tracks, the construction of which we witness live, loop after loop. She's alone on stage, and you really shouldn't expect her to be accompanied, as she immediately grabs our attention: it's rare to see an opening act command such respect and admiration in a venue that's already almost full.
The tracks are long and evolve as she records and loops elements: synth, percussion, guitar, bell, voice... She only breaks her trance to warmly thank the audience and, in an adorable mix of French (impeccable) and English, explain how her different loops work. It's an interlude that's both playful and educational, during which she has fun looping her explanations over and over again, superimposing them to the point of cacophony. Building to a crescendo, her set included the essential Mami Wata and reached its apotheosis with Travellers, a track missing from her recent live album, whose magnificent Tool-like shadows transported the audience into awe. With an XXL smile on her lips, she makes the horns with her fingers to better underline her riffs: yeah, guitar, yeah, metal! Lili Refrain dedicated her latest studio album ‘to nomads, migrants, fugitives, castaways and wandering travellers, those who overcome boundaries and those who inspire dreams’: tonight, with her huge heart overflowing the stage of the Machine, however large, she took her audience on a journey with her and probably inspired many daydreams. The captivated audience gave this superb witch the welcome her poetic, intense and unique performance deserved.
KALANDRA
Kalandra have just released their album A Frame of Mind (review), and the Parisian audience had the privilege of discovering some of the tracks played almost for the first time, such as I Am and its pop influences and evolution towards heavier rock, which opened both the album and the concert. Between Florian Bernhard Döderlein and Jogeir Daae Mæland, two big bearded Scandinavian guys, the more discreet silhouette of singer Katrine Stenbekk takes all the spotlight, with her white dress and natural simplicity.
Kalandra play with nuances, drawing on their folk origins to bring softness and heaviness, warmth and chills. The Norwegians manage to impose an intimate atmosphere that owes much to the stage presence of Katrine Stenbekk, who sits close to the edge of the stage as if to break down the barriers separating her from her audience. Her impeccable voice soothes and reassures in the half-light, mixing melancholy and hope (The Waiting Game, a sure hit). She takes the time to introduce the songs played (like the peace anthem The State of the World) or explains after Ensom that this role of headliner, with such a long set, is unusual for them. But they managed to pull it off, and the cosy little bubble Kalandra invited their audience to snuggle into was in stark contrast to the frenzy of Lili Refrain, but never bored thanks to a few more telluric moments that hinted at the band's prog influences (as if Jogeir Daae Mæland's beard and big hat weren't enough of a clue!) The set ends with an encore of Bardaginn: after that, we won't be going to bed any time soon! In the meantime, of course, we were treated to their cover of Wardruna's Helvegen, and it came as something of a surprise that the setlist was still largely devoted to The Line album, despite the release of its successor two days before the concert.
It's a safe bet that the Kalandra phenomenon is not about to run out of steam, confirming the good health not only of the ‘Nordic’ musical universe but also of projects that dare to combine catchy pop tunes with a few heavier riffs. We also hope to see Lili Refrain, who opened the show, back very soon and as headliner this time ! For the moment, at the start of this tour, we can see that these two projects, after having made a name for themselves at festivals and as support acts for better-known groups, are in full bloom. It's great to see them gradually entering the big league: with their unique sound, they deserve no less.
