After COVID, I realised just how much I missed Live Music. Since then, and since that first show, I've tried to go and see as much stuff as possible. I've been lucky enough in the last couple of years to see Evanescence, Unleash the Archers, Pantera, and several excellent, local tribute bands as well as some more international ones.
However, nothing really tops the next month in terms of sheer density of joy.
In the coming weeks:
When I first heard that Kittie would be opening for Jinjer, I had to do a double-take. Kittie represents those early days of my musical listening tastes – a band I was aware of but never fully explored. Now, years later, I get to properly experience them on a small stage. I'm looking forward to the energy that they will bring.
Kittie
I only listened to their debut album (I think I borrowed it from the local library) but since knowing they're on the bill for Jinjer, they've entered a bit of a rotation on my gym play list. If you don't know what to expect from them... well, here's the first song of theirs that I ever heard:
Jinjer
The real excitement comes from seeing them paired with Jinjer, a band that captured my attention through the algorithmic magic of YouTube. There's something mesmerizing about Tatiana Shmayluk's vocal versatility – the way she seamlessly transitions between brutal, guttural growls and hauntingly clean vocals. It's this contrast that first drew me in and keeps me coming back to their music.
Its a contrast that has me gleeful and happy - and something that has always captivated me about female fronted metal, which is of course a common theme here. The fact that I'll get to experience it in a single vocalist instead of the traditional soprano / growl combo of other bands fills me with so much anticipation.
Having listened to a few of their live sets, it looks like they're pretty clean live, whereas a few metal bands can be... rather messy.
While Jinjer is probably best known for Pisces, one of my favourite tracks is "Wallflower", but I also really enjoy "Perenial". I'm excited to hear some excellent bass riffs life, as Jinjer does a great job of bringing bass forward in the mix.
Within Temptation
Some shows are worth going the extra mile for – or in this case, eight hours on the road. Within Temptation was a constant companion since my teenage years. They played a formative role in inspiring my art throughout high school and university, and I enjoyed having them as video game background music while playing my beloved Dungeon Siege 2 years and years ago.
While I'll admit I haven't kept up with their recent releases as closely as I once did, recent setlists have me feeling so nostalgic and keen. They're playing what I consider their golden-era hits, the songs that first made me fall in love with their symphonic sound.
The eight-hour drive feels less like a burden and more like a pilgrimage. After all, how often do you get the chance to see a band that helped shape your musical taste during those formative years? I'll be going with a close friend, and it will be my first ever "boys" trip. We'll leave our wives behind, as married men, and elope to the depths of symphonic sound.
Future gigs?
I'm always keeping an eye on upcoming concerts using the Bands in Town app; because here (Australia) we're a very long way from Europe where there's a large concentration of the bands I enjoy.