Some gigs are destined to be great even before the music starts. Expectations and atmosphere align, and you know you’re just in for an epic night.
That’s pretty much what happened at Le Chabada in Angers last week, with Nova Twins marking my last gig of the season before hibernation.
High expectations, always, when it comes to these girls – for the simple reason they never disappoint. I was really eager to see them again after catching their opening set for Muse back in 2023 that completely blew my mind, and of course, the freaking masterclass their new album Parasites & Butterflies is pushed me toward unreasonable financial decisions to take the 2000 km journey just to catch this tour. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t unreasonable at all, no regrets whatsoever.
Ideal setting too, from my point of view. There’s something about smaller venues that will always put a smile on my face. Sticky floors, no barrier whatsoever, the stage itself as a side table for your drink – it just feels like home, really. Even though I’m hopeful for big stadiums in Nova Twins’ future, there’s something perfect about the intimacy of smaller venues. That kind of proximity works wonders with a band like this one who are so very close to their audience – even if it meant swerving Amy’s flying kicks now and then. My C3 vertebra might not recover that easily from the constant looking up, but damn, the awe was well worth every cracking bone.
Hotwax opened the night, serving a pretty neat warm-up for all the bouncing ahead. Despite some pretty heavy technical difficulties, they definitely rocked the place. Give them a listen. Openers are cool. And who knows, you might end up travelling to another country just to see them one day.
Just time for a quick chat with the resident photog and a refill – god, I love small venues – and it was time for the queens of hybrid rock to take the stage.
They kicked off with Black Roses, the album closer. I first thought it was quite a bold move, being on the quieter side of things, but it quickly proved me wrong and worked flawlessly. It definitely serves as one hell of an introduction. A quick look at the setlist – don’t @ me, it was literally taped in front of me, I couldn’t avoid it – made me smile when I realised that the album opener would be the night closer. Ending, beginning, or maybe just one hell of a beautiful chaos.
And that setlist was absolutely lit, with the new album played in full save for Hurricane and a few older songs that could have been strategically placed as igniters but literally felt like pouring gasoline on the ongoing blaze. Amy and Georgia’s fits, which they reinvent at every show, were absolutely slaying and definitely contributed to the room’s rising temperature. If you don’t know how to read between the lines, let me put it clear and simple: that show was proper fire, people.
From start to finish.
On every level.
The mix of old and new songs works so great together, and the massive eargasm I got hearing Choose Your Fighter and Piranha back to back is really worth noting. Just musically genius, for they might be distant cousins or something and definitely share that darker vibe. Perfect match made in chaos.
But that was nothing compared to the party that took place on the pit on the former, with Amy and Georgia rocking the hell out from the floor itself amongst their people. Side note: I’ll always be happy to hold your mic, Amy, forever and ever.
Talking of including their fans and breaking that fourth wall, beyond the constant stage interactions they’re so generous with, N.O.V.A was the perfect crowd pleaser and a total blast – as expected. I was eagerly waiting for that one, and it was such a freaking pleasure to yell those lyrics back to them. A great song to start with, that gets 110% better when shared in a sweaty venue.
Another highlight for me was definitely Hummingbird. It came as a little well-timed breather in the set, like in the album, and felt like a soft embrace after the heaviness of Piranha. And for old farts like me, a nice little respite on the cracking knees. But most of all, that might be the moment it truly struck me how much this band evolved these past couple of years. It’s honestly surreal how much they’ve grown. And even though they’ve always rocked hard, they’re definitely playing with the big girls now.
Georgia’s bass feels more magical than ever, and if you have any doubt, 100% will kick your arse, and the new songs let Amy showcase her stunning vocals in a whole new light. Hummingbird and Soprano’s high notes will definitely catch you by surprise and sweep you off your feet.
A few technical hiccups on Georgia’s bass during Taxi – now that’s proper chaos – gave a few minutes to Amy to thank the French crowd for always being so welcoming and appreciative of their ‘strange music’.
Girl. If it is, then let me live in that strange world because it definitely makes me happier.
Glory eventually came way too soon for anyone’s liking because the vibes could have honestly last all night, and I thought back to that opener/closer reverse move from the album and didn’t question it anymore – what else could they end with after such a glorious night? Ha.
A night of epic fun and equally epic music. Nova Twins are an experience like no other, and a damn good one at that. Reflecting afterwards, I realised that it might be one of the few bands I’ve always seen from the barrier, and if you ever get the chance, go for it. It’s where the fire lives, and they sure learnt to master it and share it with the world.
Can’t wait to see what the future holds for them, and I can only hope that I’ll be front row to feel that very unique and strange – seriously though, Amy – blaze they always ignite, once again.
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