After their album release last year, Canadian band Kittie who formed in the 1990’s, are back on stage in London. With equally legendary band on support, Holy Wars.
After Holy Wars‘ set at Download the day before, where singer/songwriter Kat was fearlessly climbing the stage structure and jumping in the (very big) crowd, Holy Wars followed Kittie – who also played Download – to London. This was the first time I’ve seen them, and I’m kicking myself. Wow, they are incredible! I’m a photographer and my camera barely left my face. Every member of the band was constantly throwing shapes, they were as fun and essential to watch as they are to listen to. But please, remember your earplugs. They are LOUD!
I highly recommend their new release ‘I feel Everything‘ to anyone who is curious.
Anyone breathing around the 2000’s Kerrang TV days will know Kittie. Not least, because amongst the endless repeats of the ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, Linkin park, and Papa Roach’s “last resort” videos, Kittie were – gasp – women! You’d believe it was a rarity.
Last year they released their first album since 2011’s roaring I’ve Failed You. ‘Fire’ is as brilliant and as fresh sounding as any of their past albums, whilst still sounding new; something well reflected in the audience of older and much younger attendees!
The first heavy ‘girl band’ I ever saw (again, you’d believe it’s a rarity), Kittie inspired me to pick up a guitar. Whilst I pretty quickly put it back down again, there are many bands that to this day credit them as the reason they started playing.
Their set is heavy with screaming and strong but sweeter vocals, band members are often smiling at one another showing just how much they are still enjoying it. The end three songs included late 90’s bangers ‘Charlotte‘ and ‘Brackish‘ which didn’t feel nostalgic so much as it made me feel younger. Kittie deserves to be playing much bigger venues (The Dome was sold out) and certainly more shows in the UK, so here’s hoping they will be back soon.
In the meantime, check out their new album Fire.