As cliche as it undoubtedly is, beer and live music remains a potent pairing. SON Estrella Galicia, the music-specific arm of the much-supped family-owned Spanish lager has been putting on events globally since 2009, across Spain, Brazil, Portugal, U.S, and in the last 18 months, here in the UK.
This 4th event at Hackney’s favourite clothes-shop-by-day-venue-by-night Paper Dress Vintage, by intention, offers an experience beyond just the standard gig. Enriching the occasion is a programme celebrating beer culture, street food, as well as a focus on ‘Zero Waste’ sustainability and fostering local communities. After a delicious jackfruit corn tortilla supplied by The Yellow Warbler Cafe based up the road, one can savour the workshops on clothing repair or on how to pour the perfect beer, Spanish-style (I nailed it, by all accounts).
And of course, at the top of our agenda today are the bands on show. Having previously paired the lager with the likes of DEADLETTER, Prima Queen, and Swim Deep, even more refreshing than the beverages themselves is the opportunity to witness some of the UK’s best new alternative artists in such an intimate setting. Such is the case with opening act The New Eves. An intoxicating brew of cellos, violins, flutes and squeeze boxes, bolstered by captivating vocal harmonies, pounding stand-up drums and delicious bass grooves, their sound carries a wonderment that extends beyond these four walls and to somewhere out of this time and world. At one moment resembling CAN, the next, traditional Swedish cow-herding song, their roots in old school 60s garage and punk too rings clear, not least in a joyous rendition of The Troggs’ ‘Wild Thing’ that rounds-off their set. The irony is not lost on them that they’re all drinking water, but the crowd is sure left drunk off these riches.
Packing an altogether beefier, noisier, and ear-battering punch are Isle of Wight indie-rockers Coach Party. A band that, over these past 12 months, has grown far beyond rooms like this, it’s a delight to witness such a fiercely tight and boisterous set in this environment. Here with no other intention other than to ‘rock’ – read: there’s a white flying V front and centre – vocalist Jess Eastwood frank cut-the-bullshit lyrics scissor through the engorging fortresses of hard-rock, punk and grunge that stand formidably in its way, and which the band, build, collapse, and reconstructive across their hour long set. Cheers to that.
Thanks to Son Estrella Galicia for inviting us along.
Photos by James Potter.
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