Sometimes you go to a show and you just know the person in front of you belongs on a way bigger stage than the one you’re standing in front of; that’s 100% the case with Sasami tonight in the tiny Bar Le Ritz. Recent third full-length Blood on the Silver Screen is yet another quantum shift in style from the industrial vibes of sophomore record Squeeze, and the lo-fi garage rock of her self-titled debut. This is an artist in a constant state of metamorphosis, and it’s never more evident than in the live arena; indeed, there are already signs of the new songs evolving.
Recent single “Honeycrash” sounds infinitely more raw and stripped than on record, in conjunction with a battery of flashing red lights on stage. Sasami is an engaging stage presence throughout, roaming the front of the stage right from first song “Figure It Out,” and continuing to patrol her domain on a storming “I’ll Be Gone.” She’s pulling terrifying faces in parallel with the double kick drum (shout out drummer Diego for those beats) of “Need It to Work,” while “Not the Time” is veritably grunge. She’s like an amped-up Mitski!
After a stirring “Lose It All,” dedicated to Joni Mitchell, Diego leaves the stage, and Sasami goes acoustic for a couple of songs. A cover of Avril Lavigne’s “Anything but Ordinary” gets the biggest singalong of the night so far, particularly from a hysterical group of girls beside me who throw shapes to rival those of Sasami during the heavier moments of the set! An acoustic “Just Be Friends” is every bit as wonderful, with Sasami gushing at the song’s conclusion, “Thank you for the singing!!!”
Diego returns as Sasami blasts out a French horn solo (no joke) to lead into “Nothing but a Sad Face,” before closing out the show with a stellar double-header of “In Love With a Memory” and the pop perfection of “Slugger,” both drawing huge singalongs from the now-rabid crowd, and the latter even eliciting a pogo at the front! It marks a triumphant end to a stellar 60 minutes, and at this rate of evolution, one can only imagine what her next visit will be like. However the sound or the room may change between now and then, one thing’s for sure: I will be there!
Setlist
- Figure It Out
- Honeycrash
- I’ll Be Gone
- Need It to Work
- Not the Time
- Call Me Home
- Lose It All
- Anything but Ordinary (Avril Lavigne cover)
- Just Be Friends
- Horn Interlude (Instrumental)
- Nothing but a Sad Face
- In Love With a Memory
- Slugger
Review & photos – Simon Williams
READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH SASAMI HERE
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