The Manic Boys and Girls Club

When I first saw the Manic Boys and Girls Club back in September at Gussapalooza, I was very impressed then and I am still impressed as I write this. This band seems to contain the magic formula to grab onto the next level of musicality.

Their only problem is that they only have a handful of songs right now and need more to do a full set. Every song they do have is an absolutely strong pop song that resonates with their audience. They have the creative spirit and the hooks and the stories to really connect with the listeners.

The lead singer Bela with her bouncy hair and her unusual face make-up, she is a small and powerful force on stage. Add in her brother Fernando with his brooding black outfit and rock and roll swagger on stage, this band demands a larger audience when they play.

As a photographer, what I love about their show is that they bring their own lighting to add to the overall experience. It is easier for me to capture cooler images and for the audience, the ambiance adds to the quirky exertion this band puts out on stage. Their sound is clean and sonic. The energy they radiate is there for the audience to absorb.  This band wants a bigger audience.

With the Horseshoe Tavern near capacity and over half of them were paying to see the headliners, Havens, The Manic Boys and Girls Clubs, just added more fans to their list.

This is the Manic Boys and Girls Club in action:

Havens

Havens came on next and was a contrast to the first band. This band was well dressed and started the show with what I can only describe as polite Rock and Roll. If “Happy Days “, existed into 2024 the band playing Al’s would be Havens.

This was very safe Rock music, and it seemed to come from the quiet streets of middle-class white suburbia. Even the audience stood back for a while and clapped politely as they enjoyed a spritzer.

The band seemed to be here to push their latest single, “Fairytales”. I could see that this was a favourite amongst this crowd. This is also a band that has the knack for writing very good pop rock songs.

As Havens got deeper into their set, their confidence grew stronger as they began using all the classic Rock and Roll poses to get a rise out of the audience.  The audience got closer to the stage and began to involve themselves deeper into the heavier vibe the band was putting out. The standout moment for me was watching the drummer get more excited as he was playing.

I don’t know if you have ever seen this video of a drummer in a ZZ Top cover band. This video reminded me of this drummer who clearly stood out as he let loose with his style of drumming. He is a force to be witnessed. Here is the link of the ZZ Top Cover band so you can get an idea of what I saw in Haven. ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man (Crazy Drummer)

You can also watch my clip of the drummer on Instagram to see him for yourself.  This guy loves what he does!

Havens let us know they have been around for 8 years and they are not leaving anytime soon.

Here is Havens in action: