Review: Hanni el Khatib, Thekla

When you watch Theo Varney live two things are guaranteed: firstly you’ll have a set of songs where you get echoes of his influences but you’ll find it difficult to pin down those influences. That’s because Varney is able to take a variety of styles and blend them into an intriguing mix – short psychedelic riff based songs with tempo and rhythm changes that surprise and delight. But be warned, it’s Psychedelia on steroids rather than mushrooms – he knows how to rock. Secondly he manages to use his effects pedals without ego to complement the songs rather than shredding for effect. The set was not dissimilar to his previous visit (supporting the Two Gallants) and as then, he still needs to get that one tune with a killer hook for the crowd to take away.

Hanni el Khatib writes and plays music “…for anyone who has ever been shot or hit by a train…”, and on the evidence of his set that demographic enjoys a modern take on the scratchy primal rock n roll popularized by both Lou Reed and Jonathan Richmond. There are elements of the blues and folk too, but primarily we’re talking basic rock n roll blasted out with vigour and Californian swagger. The songs themselves didn’t outstay their welcome, and the set covered both of Hanni’s full length recordings and a blinding take on You Rascal You.

Although crowd interactions started out somewhat muted, as both band & audience warmed up the banter started to flow with one punter in particular very vocally demanding changes to the set list to include his favourite song (he got it in the end) and culminated with Hanni leaping in the crowd for what can only be described as a guitargasm to the delight of the crowd. Oddly enough though, instead of relishing the intimacy of the moment many nearby rushed instead to get their ‘phones lined up for that all important video capture of the moment. It is said that many primal people feared cameras would steal their souls if they were captured on film; the current generation seem to think unless they record anything & everything on their ‘phone It Didn’t Really Happen. Loosen up brothers & sisters; enjoy the moment for real instead of thinking of your online presence and impressing your social media mates. 

That said, the majority of the crowd knew the material well and that coupled with the infectious grooves meant that there were plenty of people singing and dancing rather than updating their status. Hanni’s band was tight, and the brevity of the tunes gave the set a momentum that kept it exciting with a breathlessness that was sadly curtailed by the club night curfew. All of us would rather have had another half hour for sure. Always next time mind – make sure you’re there.