Jess Allanic: Calva Louise Brings the Fire to Bristol’s Rough Trade

Live Review: Calva Louise Brings "Neo-Tokyo" Fire to Bristol’s Rough Trade 

 I was lucky enough to catch the mighty trio **Calva Louise** on their UK tour, this time tearing up the stage at Bristol's Rough Trade. Having only experienced their YouTube promos and online live shows, I was eager to catch them mid-tour—that sweet spot where any early-show bugs have been completely ironed out, and you get to witness a band in full, uninterrupted flow. 

Setting the Stage: Knife Bride 

 The warm-up act was **Knife Bride**, a remarkably solid opening unit who got the crowd rocking early with their self-described "Nu-Gothika" sound. Their lead vocalist completely held the room, balancing powerful vocals with a warm, welcoming presence between songs. Behind her, the engine room was powered by chugging guitars, crunching bass, and driving drums. What really elevated their set, however, was how they kept things sweet with beautifully overlaid vocal harmonies cutting through the heavy instrumentation.  

Enter Calva Louise

For those uninitiated, Calva Louise is currently making serious waves. Signed to Mascot Records in Europe—a highly appropriate home known for backing sophisticated rock performed by respected artists—the band has already picked up heavy support from the BBC Rock Show and landed on the Kerrang! Radio playlists. 

The Trio:

• Jess Allanic (Venezuela): Lead vocals, guitar, and keyboards. 
• Alizon Taho (France): Bass and backing vocals.  
• Ben Parker (New Zealand): Drums . 

 *(Did I tell you the trio is my absolute favourite band format?)* `

 

Neo-Tokyo Aesthetics & Genius Tech 

 After a quick break, the stage was stripped down to reveal the band’s self-made "Neo-Tokyo" backdrop: a patchwork of metal-framed TV screens broadcasting Calva Louise video montages, all framed by a laser-like spider's web positioned directly behind the drum kit. While Alizon operated a small synth and pad alongside his bass, the most amazing stage detail was Jess’s keyboard stand, custom-built by Alizon. 

Rather than the keyboard blocking Jess for the whole show, she could simply flick a switch and the keyboard would slide out on steel rails into the perfect position for her soloing, rolling back just as quickly when she was done. I’m a bit nerdy about stage gear, but this struck me as absolute genius. 

 The Performance 

 The band was exceptionally well-rehearsed, and from the very first note, the crowd was entirely in the zone with them. Their music is sung in a seamless mix of Spanish and English, but the language barrier is non-existent because the vocal melodies cut through so sharply. Jess possesses a stunningly sweet, melodic vocal capability, paired perfectly with the ability to flip the switch into full-on metal growls when the track demands it. She handles both electric guitar and synth duties effortlessly. Flanking her, Alizon was in perpetual motion, bouncing out heavy bass lines and bruising synth sequences. Driving the whole machine forward was Ben, delivering beautifully balanced beats and a deeply grooving rhythm, notably avoiding the muddy, relentless double-bass-drum kicks so common with other contemporaries in this genre. 

 Heat, Sweat, and Heavy Riffs 

 Midway through the set, there was a brief pause and a well-deserved water break. Jess took a moment to chat with the crowd, sharing a bit of the band’s history. As the room temperature steadily rose, her choice of a fine black dress seemed perfectly suited for the dark, sweltering room. And it *was* hot as hell in there. Sweat was running off people's faces, and a mosh pit began ominously stirring at the front of the stage. Even in the roasting temperatures, it was all in incredibly good fun. The band breezed through a blistering set featuring massive tunes like **"Tunnel Vision," "Aimless,"** and **"Oportunista."** > "From the very first note, the crowd was entirely in the zone. The band breezed through the set, leaving everyone wanting more." 

The Verdict 

 The crowd loved it. I loved it. Ever the professionals, they announced their final two tunes and ended the night on a massive high, leaving a pumped-up room desperately wanting more. After the final notes rang out, we spilled outside for some much-needed ice-cold drinks before joining a massive merch queue. I managed to bag a shirt, three CDs, and a red vinyl to add to the collection. I highly recommend you check out Calva Louise—whether on digital, physical, or live scenarios, you will not be disappointed. 

Want to feel like you were there?** Stevedwest captured some fantastic video from the show below. If you look closely, you can even spot me right at the front!

Calva Louise, Tunnel Vision, live at Rough Trade Bristol, 26/04/26

Calva Louise, Aimless and Opurtunista, live at Rough Trade Bristol, 26/04/26