Bosnian Rainbows in Vera

I had to leave the PlatoPlanet festival early to be sure I would arrive in time at Vera for a gig by a man I hold in extremely high regards: Omar Rodriguez Lopez. He has released countless albums, plays in various formations, including the Mars Volta and has a great love for the Vera venue, a love that goes deep both ways.

I saw Omar for the first (and only) time in March 2009, also in Vera and I was stunned. An incredible band, with a lead singer who was also an actress in a Mexican TV series (with actual Mexican groupies in Vera). I was in awe about Omar’s impressive guitar playing.

However, we’re a few years on, with a new group, a different sound so we were all in for a surprise. But before the band would take to the stage, Mono/Poly played or mixed a thunderous Dub-Step set to a bewildered audience. Positioning themselves at a safe distance from the stage and only once the sound sank in, people began to move. And though I usually don’t go for this stuff, I must admit I liked it, but it was LOUD!

(click image for slideshow)

Finally then Bosnian Rainbows came on. The new group of Omar Rodriguez Lopez consists of Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes on Vocals, Deantoni Parks on drums and Nicci Kasper on keys.

The first thing we had get our head around was Teri’s very unusual movements over the stage. Like on drugs or in trance. It was an eyecatcher, but once we got used to it the sound of the band took over and man was it good! Omar on guitar is phenomenal, I can”t get enough of that. And Teri’s vocals are fantastic. Parts in Mexican (I think) parts English, but all good.

Also what I just love about Omar is his genuine appreciation of the audience thanking them at the end of the gig, at what time he also introduced the band getting a hugely deserved applause.

The audience pleaded long and hard for an encore, but thinking about Teri’s performance I can’t help but think she must be physically and mentally drained at the end of a gig. Can quite imagine there’s no encores after that. One of the best gigs of the year easily!

(click image for slideshow)

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