Review: Dreamwave, Louisiana – ‘An intensely enjoyable gig’

Oh, the Louisiana. A venue dripping with live music history and, tonight, the future. I was buzzing for this one.

Dreamwave played a sold-out show on the release day of their sparkling new EP Moon Dogs.

As exciting and as fresh as it gets for any band or music fan.

Sometimes everything falls into place, the planets align, and the support really clicks and sets the tempo and mood high from note one.

Robot-Rock trio The Grave Danger, who opened for Dreamwave, do this in spades.

The Grave Danger hit the ground running with their souped-up stomping synth-fuelled rock

The three-piece hit the ground running and got limbs moving with their souped-up stomping synth-fuelled rock that hits you straight in the dancing shoes.

Today has a bass line groove which acts as marching command, as do the lyrics: “One step forward and another step forward/ Live your life as if you bought it, you wouldn’t sell it for a dime.”

I seize the night with the rest of the front row and get moving to a beat, it’s hard not to.

Curious Girl has a scuzzy Strokes vibe before new single Jet M takes off, picks us all up, and spins us around.

A set highlight and hopefully a sonic sign of things to come. The bar is set high and the room is full of limbered-up fans.

Pigeon Wigs, a Cardiff-based five-piece, took to the stage in a haze of psychedelic fuzz served with a smile

Pigeon Wigs, a Cardiff-based five-piece, take to the stage next in a haze of psychedelic fuzz served with a smile. Their frontman even sings with a smile on his face for 90 per cent of the gig.

His voice is equally at home singing sweet pop bangers and screaming to his hearts content. PW express their love for Dreamwave throughout, ecstatic to be supporting them.

Pigeon Wigs are a thrilling watch, not taking themselves too seriously while being seriously good.

Massive props must go to deputising drummer Billy, who had a day to learn their set and smashed it. I can’t even imagine how hard that is!

A raucously satisfying set culminates in Beatles-esque Hold Up, which is a gloriously effervescent pop song – a set closer if ever I heard one. Next time I see them there are a lot of sing-alongs to be had.

As Pigeon Wigs leave the stage, it’s a great feeling to know we still have Dreamwave to come. An embarrassment of musical riches.

If I were you, I’d pop to see Dreamwave wherever and whenever you can

The room is filled with excitement now. Everyone’s here but “has anyone listened to the new EP?,” keys and vocalist star Hester prods the crowd with a very valid question.

We’ve only had a day but, from everyone’s reactions in the room, they had indeed been streaming their little ears off ahead of tonight’s EP launch.

The crowd is infused and entranced as Dreamwave’s intense set starts.

Seeking to Remain is the first track from Moon Dogs, delivering a bassline to get the crowd moving. Next En Traverse drifts into the set, bringing to mind all manner of influences: Radiohead, Tame Impala, Squid and Django Django all flash through my mind.

The Louisiana is sweaty as barefoot drummer Alex leads us in a rendition of We Will Rock You.

The band then pull off a smash and grab of bangers in the second half of the set, with an assault on dancing legs with Mindcave, Bungle in the Psych Jungle (what a title) and B52-esque frantic, angular single Wide Shooter to finish us off.

This band know what they are doing. If you want multifaceted heart and soul psychodelic rock these songs have it in abundance.

Also, if you want a tea towel they had loads, tossing hand-designed tea towels into the crowd. A massive shout-out to those in the front row for their frantic dancing and head banging.

Tonight was so much fun to be a part of. An intensely enjoyable gig from start to finish.

If I were you, I’d pop to see Dreamwave wherever and whenever you can.

All photos: Matt Barnes

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