CHAI, Rhumba Club, Lazarus Kane @ Village Underground, Shoreditch, 28/10/19

Originally, I was meant to go to this with Kotek, but I decided not to go, then I went anyway because they double booked this day and I didn’t want the ticket, or the money, go to waste. So here I am, on my own in an unfamiliar venue, that sounded like the most hipster place. And it was, with industrial looking interior, and card payments only possible if you spend over £10. But there was no pink gin?

There was also no mention of the support bands or the set times anywhere online, so I got there for 8pm, the starting time mentioned on the ticket in case they were weird and there were no support bands. But there were two.

Lazarus Kane were up first, and one word to sum them up is definitely eclectic. They fit the vibe of the venue and Shoreditch perfectly, filling the stage with quirky outfits and personalities. It almost felt like they just met on the street and decided to start a band on the spot. There were so many different parts that made up the songs, but they all complimented each other so well, like some kind of chaotic good. The singer was charismatic and made the audience laugh, and everyone’s persona made me want to be that cool too.

Lazarus Kane @ Village Underground

Next up was Rhumba Club. This band felt more organised, with matching outfits of all white, and a dance routine performed by the backing singers. They are a perfect band, planning out and thinking about everything. If I saw them on the street, I would think they were part of some kind of exclusive secret club. The singer reminded me of Freddie Mercury somehow; I could pull up similarities with the flamboyance on stage, the moustache and impressive vocals.

Rhumba Club @ Village Underground

CHAI were what I expected- fun, cute and wholesome. They engaged with the audience so well despite the language barrier and it was hilarious of them to make the drummer, Yuna, to read out a message about their UK visit they wrote down on a piece of paper, assumingly because she spoke the best English. I was impressed with their matching outfits (velvet hot pants and oversized pink t-shirts with CHAI on the front), energy and creativity. This show was far from boring, and it felt more than just a gig. It felt like a theatre performance in some ways, interactive at that, as I felt like I was part of it as much as they were, despite me being in the audience.

CHAI @ Village Underground