Elle King, headliner for Saturday night’s Seven Music Fest, made a couple of disturbing statements.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the singer’s shtick, King writes autobiographical songs about the hard life. She boasts of reckless behaviour, often peppered with blue language, and comes across as the poster girl of a tough rocker chick.
After opening her act with the in-your-face Chain Smokin’, Hard Drinkin’ Woman and sipping an unidentified drink, she told the audience of about 1,000 that, “I’m drunk.”
A later selection was introduced with, “As I go, I get more sober.”
Was this all part of a hard-hitting image? Or was she just well lubricated?
A friend sitting beside me diplomatically said, “ She’s loose, very loose.”
This was a family festival and the Los Angeles singer refused to tame her raunchy act for the many parents and young children who attended.
A few music fans, clearly disgusted with aimless ramblings, tauntings directed at the audience and repeated expletives that make sailors blush, left Seven Hills.
Yet more than 200 star-struck fans – children and adults alike – crowded around the stage singing along and snapping selfies.
As King belted song after song – Good for Nothin’ Woman, America’s Sweetheart, Naturally Pretty Girls, Chained, Ex's & Oh’s, and Ain’t Gonna Drown – her raspy, powerful vocals demonstrated a special kinship with rock, country and blues. It’s no wonder, she was twice nominated for a Grammy Award.
Prior to King, Banners (Michael Joseph Nelson), a Liverpudlian with a smooth voice reminiscent of Cold Play’s Chris Martin, also picked up new devotees.
His act was designed to journey through a series of songs and emotions that ranged from the soaring Empires on Fire to the reflective, cathartic Ghosts to the pop hit Shine a Light.
Supported by a tight three-piece, Banners immediately endeared himself teasing the audience with his whip-smart British wit. The act was over too quickly and he left the crowd wanting more.
Delhi 2 Dublin bounced onto the stage throwing peace signs, pounding drums and firing up the fiddle. This Vancouver-based foursome is a mashup of India’s Bollywood musicals, North American pop and Ireland’s lush Celtic traditions. Toss in a dash of funk and soul, and you’ve got the picture.
The dynamic and lively bhangra styled songs acted like magnets drawing the crowd towards the stage’s apron. The band immediately engaged their fans showing them a few dance moves and within a few minutes everyone was pumping the air and groovin’ to the pulse-pounding drumbeats.
Some of the songs were sung in an East Indian language. And while the crowd may not have understood the words, the spirit of togetherness, joy and brotherly love permeated the air.
Instead, The Wet Secrets brought a touch of crazy to the festival. The six-piece, blending horns, bass, and drums sang head-scratching songs such as I Can Swing a Hammer With the Best of Them, Tidal Wave of Hate, Hypnotizer and Night Life, a salute to Whyte Ave.
And they get a prize for the flashiest costume.
Altameda, a four-piece all St. Albert band, rocked the afternoon with some of their most popular songs such as Dirty Rain and Borrowed Suit, Second-Hand Dress.
They even tested Time Hasn’t Changed Me, a love song from their new album slated for release later this year. At the end of their set, festival producer Barry Bailey announced Altameda will perform at the Arden Theatre in January 2019.
Rock band Kane Incognito introduced a four-song set with several songs about the pain of love and loss while folk troubadour Martin Kerr’s songs focused more on the joys of loving.
Both of their sets appeared cut short, probably due to a quick downpour right at the time of their scheduled acts.
Despite the early afternoon shower, Seven Music Fest won over the crowd completely and for those who attended, it was an easy, breezy way to join the summer concert circuit.
