Smack-dab in the middle of her tour to promote her new album, Beatitudes (Rocktographers-reviewed here), Rykka performed a short-but-passionate set at Lucky Bar on November 12.
After recording a Rocktographers Session for her song Bad Boy (coming soon!), and after live/electronic Victorians Germany Germany opened the show, Rykka performed a 14-song set, mostly filled with Beatitudes, but with some gems from her previous album, Kodiak, including opening with her first hit, Blackie.
The crowd at Lucky was modest, but completely in to the set, and most notably included Rykka’s mum, who sang every word to every song from the floor, among the younger concertgoers and their beverages.
While Lucky lighting can be a challenge at times, it was a great night for both that and sound; the whole show had a nice step-up feel to it.
Supported by Andrew Braun on keyboard and guitar, and percussive Victoria staple Jason Cook on drums, the three-piece was made much larger sounding with the inclusion of various triggered samples and backing tracks (with each person on stage contributing), giving the show a much larger feel than what three people would normally be able to produce.
The energy a lead singer would normally be able to sustain was also amplified, owing to the rebounder trampoline Rykka bounced on during many of her songs. Definitely the first time I’ve seen one of those integrated into a rock show. Hopefully not the last.
The Victoria gig was her last in Canada for a while. She’ll finish up the last four dates of this tour in Switzerland come December, but it’ll be great to welcome Rykka back to town at any time. Her bubbly energy and powerful voice are a joy to experience.
