Alright, gents grab your Cuban heels, ladies straighten your stockings and buckle up, because The Courettes are in town with their exhilarating garage-rock fury! Bush Hall, 60's bingo hall and social club, seems a perfect venue for tonight's gig. The transatlantic married couple originating from Brazil and Denmark, incongruously forming a cool sixties influenced powerhouse duo. 10 years, several albums and countless gigs later, they are in London to promote their new album, “The Soul of… the Fabulous Courettes” (Damaged Goods Records).
From the moment Flavia and Martin Couri stepped onto the stage, you knew you were in for something special. Flavia, draped with her signature Cadillac guitar is a whirlwind of charisma and fierce guitar riffs. She commands attention with her powerful vocals and captivating stage presence. Martin, a rock-solid anchor on drums, laid down a relentless, driving beat that was the backbone of their infectious sound. The Courettes have an unwavering commitment to the pure, unadulterated spirit of garage rock, laced with a sprinkle of Motown and 60’s girlband pop for good measure. There were no frills, no unnecessary theatrics – just a relentless barrage of catchy hooks, fuzz-drenched guitars, and thunderous rhythms. They ripped through their setlist with barely a pause for breath, each song a perfectly crafted three-minute burst of energy that had the crowd moving from the first note.
From the first bars of “You Woo Me” the crowd were captivated by the duo. “The Boy I Love” from the 2015 album, “Here are The Courettes”, quickly followed. “California” was a stand out track leaning heavily into the west coast Beach Boys vibe ( no surprise that Brian Wilson’s producer worked with them on the mix ). Martin wants more from the crowd and we are happy to comply. Each song from their catalogue sounds even more visceral and alive in person. “Want you like a cigarette” another track that would grace any album by the Ronettes or The Crystals. Flavia's vocals were both sweet and snarling, perfectly complementing the raw power of her guitar playing. Martin's drumming was a force of nature, propelling each song forward with relentless energy.
Beyond the sheer sonic assault, there was a genuine connection between the band and the audience. Flavia's playful banter and infectious enthusiasm were met with cheers and enthusiastic dancing ( I couldn’t stop myself ). They clearly love what they do and so does the audience. At one point Flavia is crowd surfing, still playing guitar and raising the roof. “Keep Dancing” shows Flavia’s lyrical development, pushing herself into more personal areas, the subject her “non-existent” father with the juxtaposition of a backdrop of pure 60’s pop.
A quick change of dress for Flavia for the encore and again, they control the crowd. The final song, the recent single, “Shake” is hipster bliss and a real favorite for the crowd. And then they were gone…only to appear at the merch stand for take time to meet fans and pose for hundreds of photos before wandering off into the cool Shepards Bush night.
If you're looking for a band that delivers authentic, high-energy garage rock with genuine passion and undeniable talent, then The Courettes are an absolute must-see. Tonight's performance wasn't just good; it was a perfectly executed testament to the power of stripped-down rock and roll. They left no doubt that they are a force to be reckoned with.
