The Shadow Electric never fails to disappoint, and the plateau of high expectations rises every time. The Bombay Royale’s inclusion in The Shadow Electric’s Visions series on Sunday night was one of those musical gems that makes you feel little blossoms of warm joy burst in your chest each time you think of it. The Estonian House proved to be the ideal venue for The Bombay Royale, who emanated an electric energy that you could bottle.
Johnnie and the Johnnies were first up on the bill, and were actual joy. Their go-go garage made everyone boogie something chronic, bringing out that silliness in the best possible way, because seriously, how good is silly? Huge props to Johnnie Sweetcheeks on the Hammond adorning entirely leopard-print attire and owning it.
Johnnie and the Johnnies may’ve been a hard act to follow, but Sex on Toast built up the momentum of the pure, ecstatic bliss written on everyone’s face and escaping through their limbs. I felt like I was watching a ’90s boy band, crossed with glam-rock, crossed with the Blues Brothers, crossed with the Matrix. Sex on Toast were a sexy hybrid I’ve never seen before; rich and delicious, like a guilty pleasure, but without the guilt.
Everything about The Bombay Royale was eerily beautiful and uplifting to the eyes and ears, and contained a hyper-hypnotic, yet soothing energy. The visuals projected behind them ran parallel to their epic amazingness, with patterned textile silhouettes, sapphires, butterflies, cool and cluttered visuals over smooth soul tracks which would suddenly transition into acid-trip-green, gold and orange. It was all like a dream with hints of psychedelia and ashy rainbow pop art. The Bombay Royale were that rare, delicate form of intimate, yet grand and iconic complete with a beautiful, pulsating ambience. If you have never been graced with the presence and majestic entertainment of The Bombay Royale, you are missing out. Everyone entered the venue happy, and everyone left in a bubble of paradise. Five stars and then some.
BY ERIN MCCONCHIE
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: Estonian House, killer venue.
Hated: That it all ended.
Drank: Whiskey. Yummo.
