It’s been a long time coming … four years to be exact since the electrifying rock n roll duo, The Kills graced a Los Angeles stage. Last night at The Mayan in Downtown L.A., The Kills delivered a magnetic performance full of their signature gritty rock style and swagger. As the first of two back-to-back nights at the Mayan, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince reminded us of how lovely it is two see these two live on stage, feeding off each other’s vibrant energy and undeniable love for two things: putting on an unforgettable rock show, and of course, the unique and unmatched love the two rockers have for each other.
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Any Kills fans will tell you how insatiable the two are on stage with one another, and how their combined doting and respect for one another translates to quite the authentic live performance.
Scanning the room, fans looked at the two in awe as they’d come together for a slick pose and playful stare on songs like “Doing It To Death,” meanwhile the raucous sound collisions of “U.R.A. Fever” and “Sour Cherry” had us bouncing and banging our heads until they nearly rolled off our necks.
Haunting ballads such as “Black Balloon” and “The Last Goodbye” left fans in a warm daze, enveloped by Mosshart’s lulling vocals.
Song after song, The Kills had us wrapped around their boots and guitars. Even the surprising faux pas on Hince’s out-of-tune guitar on “Doing It To Death” (if my blissed memory serves me right on the title) was welcomed with smiles and laughter from both sides of the stage. It’s not often you see a guitar slayer hiccup, but when they do, it makes them all the more human despite being rock gods. Like the smooth operator that he is, Hince quickly turned it around reigniting the fire and enamored us with his skills and infectious stage presence.
Experiencing a Kills live show is a cathartic experience. Between rocking the fuck out to Hince’s slick licks, and being fully mesmerized by Mosshart’s strut and delicious vocals, you truly get lost in the music and the insatiable vibe that is, The Kills.
Opening up for The Kills we’re local favorites L.A. Witch. Between their droney blues and more upbeat psych rock, the band were the prefect appetizer for The Kills. I’m sure many fans would have loved to have heard a few more of their fuzzy anthems, but we’ll all just have to wait for their next headline L.A. gig to fully relish in the greatness of L.A. Witch.
Words: Sandra Burciaga Olinger
Photography: Bryan Olinger
Photos: LA Witch at The Mayan
