Music / Reviews
Review: Chanel Beads, The Louisiana – ‘Animated chaos’
Telling people what I was doing with my Monday evening, that I was going to watch New York’s Chanel Beads play a gig at The Louisiana, they’d often respond “what kind of music are they?” Stumped by this question I would offer a protracted “well…”, before trying to put them into words.
Discordant yet melodic and ethereal but harsh, Chanel Beads’ sound is hard to put a finger on. I didn’t know what to expect from a live performance but I was surprised to find the performance of Shane Lavers, the mind behind Chanel Beads, so full of animated chaos.
It was yet another layer to add to their musical tapestry.
is needed now More than ever
Shane Lavers performance was surprisingly animated – photo: Angus Cawood
Beautiful and dreamlike music from the rest of the band clashed with Lavers energetic vocals and stage presence, giving the performance a fresh feeling. I felt like I was seeing the same songs but from a new angle.
Lavers seemingly felt every word he threw at us: this was no performance of just going though the motions. Every song seemed to tap into the creative well spring that first bore it. The floaty DIY pop I was expecting now had a hard edge.
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With wild gesticulation and screaming, the emotive and moving performance didn’t go amiss amongst the crowd. The sold out show floor had fully warmed to Lavers’ intensity as the last songs rolled round, jumping and waving y2k digital cameras in the air.
The gig felt special, as if we were seeing something on the precipice of becoming monumental. As if in a few years I could say “you know I saw Chanel Beads at the Louisiana” and people would know exactly what I meant.
Main image: Lauren Davis
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