Review: Ernest Ellis & The Panamas, Nantes, Montpelier @ Alhambra
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Having fallen a little in love with Ernest Ellis and the Panamas’ new release Kings Cannon, I was stoked to see their new set live. With a whole host of great music joining them for the party at Alhambra, it was the perfect end to a crazed week.
Heading in just in time to catch local heartthrobs Montpelier, I was a little disappointed at the size of the crowd. Sitting far back from the stage, drinking and talking, the audience really didn’t seem phased by the presence nor sounds that the delightful four-piece were pumping out from the stage. After several attempts to get the crowd moving, the Montpelier boys laid down a number of cruisey rock’n’roll tracks and moved off the stage.
Main support Nantes were up post-Montpelier. With a complete change of tune, these guys brought more of a distorted, lo-fi feel to the evening. Feeling the same sentiments as Montpelier at one point, a member made the snide comment for the crowd to “just keep drinking your beers and not listening to us”. Harsh, but very fair in this circumstance… unfortunately it didn’t change much. Nonetheless, the show progressed, through some darker tracks and a track that sounded like a distorted meditation on a Bloc Party sound.
Finally, with the crowd finally showing some kindness, Ernest Ellis and the Panamas were up. Kicking the set off with what would have to be one of best ways in my eyes, the band did a modern-day cover of the theme to Twin Peaks, the David Lynch television series. Awesome.
With a sincerity and modesty about the band, they smashed out a number of tracks from Kings Cannon, including the single Great Sky, New Bloos and Sons and Daughters, whilst also playing tracks from previous EPs such as Loveless.
With a great mix of crescendos and calm throughout the set, the band created an atmosphere like none other, leaving the now hypnotized crowd in silence.