In this musical summer in which we are invaded by every kind of live show or rock/pop festival it is easy to live two different kind of experiences, at least in Tuscany where I live: the first is the messy but intense experience at a festival (like “Firenze rocks”), a happening made of masses of people, sweat, singalong. The second is the soft experience to stay at a little venue (like “Lars Rock Fest” in Chiusi or Festival “Le canzoni” in Peccioli) in which you find a familiar ad relaxed ambient where to listen to alternative bands. In some ways I prefer the second one because it gives me the chance to discover new and fresh music out of the mainstream, like in the case of King Hannah.
The venue in the middle of Giardino Scotto, a nice little park in Pisa, is perfect to welcome a concert at the end of a very hot day with an unbearable heat (Pisa in itself deserves a visit just for the riverfront). Surrounded by trees, the air is fresh as far as possible. The familiar atmosphere is confirmed by the first image: Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle, the couple from Liverpool, are at the merchandising shop signing copies of their albums and taking selfies with happy fans. Some hundreds of people are listening to Nico Sambo and his band playing nineties rock with sophisticated lyrics.
As a live band King Hannah are a good example of the new rock attitude: less show, focus to music. The stage is simple, there is not much space for talks with the audience, Hannah only says “hello” and “thanks” and the concert flows like a long, peaceful river. The audience is warm in clapping for the songs. Craig’s guitar alternates between moments of lightheartedness and moments of fury, the basss player sometimes goes to synths creating that dream pop atmosphere to some tracks, Hannah’s voice is recognizable among thousands for its spoken and faint singing. “Milky Boy” is agood example of what is rock today: slow, uncertain and suddenly noisy, with the guitar giving a heavy cut to the song. “Somewhere near El Paso” is suspended between guitar riffs and drum beats like it was exploding at any moment. The encore with “Big Swimmer” offers the sweetest side of King Hannah, the song is welcomed with a warm applause and the performance is very intense.
King Hannah’s live has been a warm hug to everyone had the will to welcome their melancholic and dreamy rock.
Setlist
- Somewhere near el Paso
- Milk Boy
- Go Kart Kid
- The Mattress
- Suddenly, Your hand
- New York, Let’s do Nothing
- Davey Says
- Leftovers
- Creme Brulee
- Big Swimmer
- New Song
- Look at Miss Ohio
