The Jenova Collective - Review

Walking into the Brudenell Social Club I feel like I’ve stepped into the 70’s. Patterned carpets soaked with the smell of stale beer and cigarettes cover the floor and dark dingy looking wood covers pretty much everything else. Yet there’s something about this venue that draws you in, making you desperate to get a closer look. Perhaps it’s the cliques of students dressed in vintage clothing desperately trying to fit in with the theme of the club, or the fact that the bar staff look as though they could be the next Mumford and Sons.

The stage looks as though it’s ready for a mediocre cabaret act as the audience shuffle around sheepishly, forming an awkward semicircle around the dance floor. But The Jenova Collective take to the stage with an unassuming confidence, coaxing the audience into the empty space. Classic swing riffs from the saxophone paired with modern electronic samples resonate long after the first track is over, leaving everyone cheering for more. Lead vocalist Lily Moharrer oozes sex appeal and its clear her alter-ego ‘Miss Kitty’ is not messing around. Grabbing a megaphone she teases the crowd with the next number, ordering them to ‘get low’ and ‘swing those hips’. Now, halfway through their set the audience have stepped out of their self conscious comfort zone and are using every inch of the dance floor to join in the high energy dancing that Lily projects.

The band perform a bouncy electro-swing cover of Lady GaGa’s ‘Bad Romance’, looking confused at first, it’s amusing to see the crowd slowly recognise the melody. One by one, as the song sinks in, the audience let go of any inhibitions relishing the sound of this seven piece.

Playing original tracks for the most part The Jenova Collective have effectively captured the sound of the 20’s swing movement layering it with interesting modern samples and powerhouse vocals. Moving together as one, this new group look effortless and united and it’s hard to believe this is only their fifth live performance. The highlight of the evening is the cheeky rap that appears as if from nowhere, yet again adding a modern twist to the vintage sound. This entertaining number ‘Troublesome Trumpets’ shows the band at their best, not taking themselves too seriously yet giving a captivating performance.