Words and Photos By: Lucy Heffer
On a beautiful evening in London, the excitement was palpable at the iconic Cart & Horses for the final date of the Kickin’ Valentina UK tour and the first time Sisters Doll had played London.
After the very orderly queueing to reserve prime barrier positions, the atmosphere very quickly turned up a notch as Australian brothers Sisters Doll took to the stage!
Vocalist Brennan was clearly stoked to be playing in the capital and throughout the opening number he warmly acknowledged members of the audience and waved enthusiastically at familiar faces, later explaining how it took 47 hours to get there (from their home in Melbourne).
Throughout the gig, the crowd seemed as enthused as the band to be sharing in this memorable experience. Personally, my high expectations were very swiftly exceeded, as a masterclass in stage presence, audience interaction and musical delivery was presented.
Performed tracks included Baby Doll, You Can’t Bring Me Down, United, Black Black Mirror and Strutt, and a medley featuring The Who and Deep Purple.
Kickin’ Valentina yelled encouragement to the band with enthusiasm equally matched by the audience that were seen singing along, frantically scrabbling for thrown plectrums and dancing and swaying throughout.
The band’s dancing reached a pinnacle during the performance of their debut release – Dollhouse. The choreography of the 3 guitar moves would not have looked out of place in a synchronised swimming competition!
In dedicating the closing track Good Day to Be Alive to D.k. Revelle from Kickin’ Valentina, Brennan hinted at the bond that the two bands had made during their seven date tour.
The set was over far too soon, but it felt like every audience member’s presence mattered and the band held their full attention throughout. The smiles in the audience suggested it really was a Good Day to Be Alive, and hanging out at Cart & Horses.
Sisters Doll have further dates over the coming days plus an appearance at Call of The Wild Festival at the end of May. If you want to see them before they reach the heady heights of stadium gigs, check them out, you will not regret it!
To find out more, read Nick Ashton’s interview with the band here:
https://emergingrockbands.co.uk/interview-sisters-doll/?v=7885444af42e
Headliners Kickin’ Valentina REALLY brought the party! They blurred the lines between the audience and the band with their crowd interaction, and whilst they are worthy of (and also play) much bigger stages, the intimacy of the gig made for a very immersive experience.
Inviting a punter to grab the mic and fill in on a song while he ordered a Tequila, D.k. Revelle also passed a bottle of JD around, serenaded Sisters Doll whilst they were at the bar and then came over and shared shots with them. At no point did the performance lose momentum, in fact the ambience was enhanced.
Sisters Doll returned to the stage and kicked the party up a level as the evening drew to a close. Personally I felt like I had spent a night on Sunset Strip in the ’80s, and I did not want the night to end! What a Wednesday!
