By Vicky Greer.
Southampton, late October. The clocks have just gone back and the daily grey skies offer little reason to leave your house. The antidote? Los Bitchos at The 1865, transporting you to sunnier climes with their unique blend of surf rock, cumbia and camp.
It’s not a genre fusion that comes up all that often in the live circuit, but Los Bitchos have dazzled and delighted in their two albums, introducing a style of music that most of the audience didn’t know they needed.
Faux Real
I walk into the venue and the support act, glam-pop outfit Faux Real have already begun their set. At least, I think they have. I can hear them, but the stage is empty. It takes me a moment to realise they’re performing their set in the middle of the room with an impressively synchronised dance routine in impressively synchronised outfits.
Once back on stage, it’s confirmed: Faux Real are the most gloriously ridiculous band around. In Rent Free, one half of the duo produces a flute for some unexpected playing, stowing it in the front of his jeans between solos. Back to the floor they go for Walking Away From My Demons and Kindred Spirits, bringing their baffling, thrilling set to a close.
What do you need to know about Los Bitchos? One, they’re pan-continental, with members hailing from Australia, Uruguay, Sweden, and exotic South London. Two, as well as the typical musical accoutrements, they also have a keytar, an additional mini drum kit, and a set of bongos on stage with them. And thirdly, they’re a bundle of joyous energy when they lose themselves in their instrumental adventures.
Opening with Talkie Talkie album opener Hi!, they celebrate their new album in style. Throughout the set, most song titles are not announced and with no guiding lyrics, it’ll take a minute to track down your favourite numbers. But this only adds to the immersive experience of a Los Bitchos gig.
The set takes us through the Los Bitchos journey so far, with moments from their debut (Good to Go!) and tracks from the recent release (1K and Talkie Talkie, Charlie Charlie). Don’t Change is introduced with a heart-warming shout-out to their label manager Brad (check), who’s in attendance tonight. Pista Fresh Start involves the audience with their famous hand dance.
A highlight is The Link Is About To Die, a personal favourite from their debut. This is where we see lead guitarist Serra Petale step away from the six-string and go wild on the bongos. So joyful is the response that for the rest of the set, there’s a flutter of excitement in the crowd whenever she approaches the bongos again.
Los Bitchos
The evening ends with a celebratory rendition of Tequila and a group hug. More than just a group of incredibly talented musicians who give their all to their respective instrument(s), they each have that rockstar quality that you can’t look away from. It’s a camp celebration of fun that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before.
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