Review: Celebration at Subterranean A
So, a little while ago I was in Washington DC. It was rainy. Like, biblical rain and thunderclaps like rhinos falling from two story buildings onto glass sheets. Pretty epic.
I, of course, decided to walk to the venue. My jeans got soaked to half way up my legs, and one of those classic moments happened when a car drove through a puddle which splashed over my whole body. Classy.
But no biblical rain could stop my excitement to see Celebration. I really love the band’s music and their whole aesthetic and approach towards getting their music out there. It turned out that the venue was actually a flat, rented by a bunch of college kids. It was really cool space and they were so warm, welcoming and friendly. The flat was on two tiers, all open plan; the bottom level hosting the bands. Around fifty or so people came. The sound was surprisingly fantastic.
Before the show I wound up talking to a guy called Trevor. He was from California and spent some time in DC studying, and was back to play the show. His band are called Tree River and they delivered a really fun opening set. Next were local band Deleted Scenes. They were super as well and great to watch.
I was well and truly there to see Celebration. I don’t think they’ve played in the UK for a very long time, so being there and seeing them was kind of like finding a really good toffee in a bag of exotic sweets. They are my favourite live band I’ve seen all year, and beyond that, one of my favourites ever. I’d love to see them again. Absolutely superb. They have three records, and they mostly played newer songs from the record ‘Hello Paradise’ (which is free to download).
The music is very rhythmic; the drummer is fantastic, and they had a guy playing bongo drums and Katrina had a drum of her own which she’d smack with a beater or a tambourine as she sang. The stacked keyboards and Wurlitzer produced such gloriously warm and brilliant organ sounds. In the middle of the set Katrina left the stage and there was a psychedelic, Middle Eastern-esque saxaphone jam. She returned and the band continued to tear through their songs. Each one was so passionate and full of infectious spirit and energy.
Katrina Ford is hands down, easily, without doubt, the most incredible frontwoman I’ve seen in a long while. Her voice is phenomenal, so deep and powerful and she sings every line with such gusto and intensity. She paces the stage, comes into the audience, springs on her heels and dances. She’s charismatic to say the least; a true performer. And I totally believe it. She’s not trying to be anyone or imitate anything; what I watched was completely real. It was raw passion and genuine talent.
There were six of them crammed into a tiny space. It felt just right. I’m so glad I got to see this show. I sincerely hope I get to see this wonderful band again. They are a treasure.
