Los Bitchos brought their tour accompanying the release of their sophomore album Talkie Talkie to London’s O2 Forum in Kentish Town together with Faux Real who they’ve taken along for the ride, and they instantly filled it with the positive vibes, and the unmistakable DIY spirit that has come to define both bands.
From the moment the doors opened, it was clear this wasn’t going to be your typical arena show — this was a night of raw, unfiltered fun, where the energy came not just from the bands on stage, but from the crowd itself, made up of fans and friends who shared a genuine love for the music and the people behind it.
Faux Real
When the London duo Faux Real took to the stage, I didn’t know what to expect. Imagine a synchronised contemporary ballet but it’s also kind of a rave – this is what they bring, and they bring it so unapologetically, it’s absolutely infectious.
Siblings Virgile and Elliott Arndt are wonderfully in sync – I found an article that describes them as “Phoenix by way of Jedward” and I have to say there is something to it. They commanded the stage with their impressive choreography from the get go. They would also often leave the stage and rave in between the surprised and delighted audience.
The 90s pop-rave sounds exuded unrelenting, feel-good spirit. There were no pretensions, no high walls between performer and audience. Just a bunch of people having a great time. The songs themselves were catchy and memorable, with ‘Love On The Ground’ being a standout. Towards the end of their eventful set, the t-shirts from their white Robert Mapplethorpe-inspired stage outfits were off and they jumped into the crowd and delivered a visceral performance, breaking down any left over barriers between stage and audience. For their finale they asked the venue to turn the lights off and the audience to light up their mini mosh pit with mobile phones and they danced in between us with high kicks, thrashing on the floor and acrobatics galore. I truly couldn’t imagine a better warm up for Los Bitchos.
Then it was time for Los Bitchos to take to the stage and they opened with the absolute perfect song – ‘Hi!’ – and the atmosphere in the venue went to another level. It’s not often that you see a band with this much energy, yet this much joy in their performance. The Latin-inspired instrumental band, who made waves with their infectious mix of cumbia, funk and psych-rock, wasted no time getting into it.
The band’s sound is undeniably danceable, but what truly sets Los Bitchos apart is their ability to create a vibe that’s impossible to resist. The set was a celebration — of friendship, of music, and of the simple joy of playing live. Tracks like ‘Kiki’ and ‘Good To Go’ were infused with a contagious energy that had the entire room dancing, clapping, and singing along (even if the lyrics were a simple ‘AH’ or literally singing along to the melody). The band’s charismatic, effortless presence made it clear that their music was meant to be shared, enjoyed, and experienced together. It was also clear that the night meant a lot to them – Serra took a moment to embrace Augustina and shared how they did this at their first gig, when they barely knew how to play their instruments, and they were just happy to get through the song – I could tell that filling such an iconic venue like The Forum meant a lot to them in that moment.
What truly struck a chord with the crowd was how the night felt like a collective experience. Los Bitchos, known for their inclusivity and the warmth they bring to the stage, made sure the room was filled not just with the sound of their music, but with the sense that everyone was part of something much bigger than just a concert. Throughout the set, there was a true feeling of connection, not only between the band and the audience but also among the fans themselves. It felt like a gathering of friends who were all there for the same reason: to celebrate the power of live music and the joy of being together in a room where the music is loud, the vibes are positive, and the DIY spirit runs deep.
Los Bitchos took us through both their albums, with ‘The Link Is About To Die’, ‘Talkie Talkie, Charlie Charlie’ and ‘Try The Circle’ being standouts. They finished their set with ‘Tequila’ – what else? – and everyone went home with their hearts full.
After the thunderous night in London, Los Bitchos and Faux Real are hitting Europe and I strongly encourage you to catch them if you can.
- Follow Los Bitchos on Instagram | their website | YouTube | get EU tour tickets
- Follow Faux Real on Instagram | YouTube | their website