Kuala Shaker's Fall Tour with the Dandy Warhols at the Observatory Orange County

 

Kuala Shaker

The scene and vibes were set even before Kula Shaker took to the stage at the Observatory Orange County. The air was pungent with incense and psychedelic imagery as swirling lights beamed onto the stage backdrop, as if we were about to take part in a 60s 'happening' or love in. As the atmosphere grew, Kula Shaker took to the stage and opened with their up-tempo hit, 'Hey Dude,’ a number two on the UK charts single in 1996, which was a strong statement of intent for the rest of their set.

Lead by Crispian Mills, son of acclaimed English actor, Hayley Mills, Kula Shaker’s music is quite difficult to categorize. Coming up in the mid-90s UK at the time of Brit Pop, they also referenced early 90s Indie, 60s Psychedelia, and Indian mysticism with a Beatles like fondness for the sitar (Quite a melting pot.)

Their debut album, ‘K,’ reached number one in the UK in September 1996 and established them as a force to reckon with alongside artists such as Oasis, Pulp, and Blur. The performance was a class act; Crispian shreds on the guitar alongside Jar Darlington on the Hammond organ giving it a recurring 60s motif throughout. Alonza Bevan on bass and Paul Winterhart on drums provided a solid rhythm section.

Crispian also delivered some good inter song banter, explaining how he liked the Grateful Dead (also another musical influence) before diving into a cover of 'Hurry On Sundown' by British Acid Rock jam band, Lunatics Hawkwind, who at one point featured Lemmy from Motorhead on bass. 'This one's for Hawkwind', Crispian announced.

They also played some of their Eastern influenced songs like 'Govinda' and 'Tattva,’ before ending with perhaps their popular song 'Hush', a beat driven baggy belter with festival ready sing-along choruses. It's been a while since we have seen Kula Shaker live in concert, and the band does not disappoint with their memorable live performances.

For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit Kula Shaker’s website. For upcoming events at the Observatory Orange County, visit their website.

 

SET LIST

  • Hey Dude

  • Knight on the Town

  • Shower Your Love

  • Grateful When You're Dead / Jerry Was There

  • Idon'twannapaymytaxes

  • Ophelia

  • Into the Deep

  • Hurry On Sundown (Hawkwind cover)

  • Narayan (The Prodigy cover) ((Included a section of Black Sabbath's War Pigs))

  • Day For Night

  • 303

  • Tattva

  • Hush (Joe South cover)

  • Govinda

 

Coverage by Martin Worster // Instagram: @martinworsterphotography

Contact for us for advertising! If you would like to feature your event, art, music, venue, or business on SoundBite Magazine, send an email to soundbitemag@gmail.com for features and promotional inquiries.

For upcoming events and artists features, follow SoundBite Magazine on Instagram, X, Facebook, and YouTube.

 
BandsSoundBite MagazineKuala Shaker, Observatory Orange County