A few years ago I used to get to see
JoanOvArc in and around London regularly, but their appearances in London these days are few and far between and I haven't seen them for ages now. However, it's great to see them back in Camden. I saw the band at
The Barfly several years ago, but it was a bit of an odd night - though no fault of the band. The venue had installed a barrier in front of the stage - which
totally killed the atmosphere; Low stage + barrier + less than full venue = a very un-rock 'n' roll vibe. Fortunately there is no barrier tonight and things are much better. These girls
always give a great performance regardless of the circumstances and are a
very professional act who play to a very high level.
It's Saturday night in Camden and there are plenty of people in the Barfly who have come to see JoanOvArc - they don't go home disappointed.
JoanOvArc get off to a flying start as they tear into their new single 'Live Rock 'N' Roll' - now re-recorded with well known producer Gil Norton at the famous Rockfield studio. This is a song they often save until the end of their set, but it makes an explosive introduction tonight with Shelley really ripping it up on the solo!
The band have changed their image a bit since I last saw them - their original more 'rock' look had been replaced by a more 'glam' image, but tonight they have a semi-military appearance that harks back to the days of NWoBHM. The Barfly has a lot more rockers in the crowd tonight instead of the more usual indie scenesters at this venue - JoanOvArc serve up just what they want - lashings of hard but tuneful rock played with genuine passion.
The band often throw one or two covers into their set, but as they are only allowed to play for half an hour tonight there is only time for one, but it is a bit special. I'd already noticed that Shelley is purely by coincidence wearing exactly the same Motörhead T-shirt as me, and for the last song she announces it will be their tribute to Lemmy - I know she is a big Motörhead fan. JoanOvArc rip into 'Ace Of Spades' - but this version has a different twist to it - the band have added a horn section!
The horn-enhanced version of 'Ace Of Spades' works surprisingly well, and rhythm guitarist Laura takes lead vocals instead of main singer Sam who sticks to bass duties for this final song of the night. Once again JoanOvArc have triumphed with a powerful and dynamic set and won over a crowd who were partly here for the other bands..
There is dancing and headbanging at the front as JoanOvArc finish their set - there are four bands on the bill so they can't play for long, but they certainly go out with a bang.
I feel sorry for any band who have to follow JoanOvArc - for reasons best known to the promoters the girls are the second band on a four strong bill in spite of their great experience as a live act. I haven't heard of any of the other bands on the bill, but I hang around long enough to catch part of the following band's set.
They are an interesting power trio with a lively girl on drums and they rock a lot harder than the normal Barfly indie fare. They have a good sound and plenty of energy, but none of the songs I hear really grabs me. I'd like to tell you who they are, but they made the basic beginners mistake of not announcing themselves. They aren't a bad band, but very few people seem to have come to see them compared to JoanOvArc so I don't think their position on the bill after JoA was justified - from what I saw tonight JoanOvArc should have been headlining. I quite like this band all the same, and it would be interesting to see them in a year's time to see how they have progressed. Normally, I would have stayed to see the rest of their set, but the overpriced/poor quality venue bar doesn't make me want to hang around - and I have another gig to get to....
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