AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS — A GLIMPSE INTO YONAKA’S FIRED UP SHOW IN OXFORD (2019)
I have already reviewed Yonaka’s music on the pages of this webzine more than once, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the band. What happened this week only cemented my conviction that the group deserves even more attention than they’ve been gradually attracting. I had a chance to catch them live in Oxford as they are currently on tour in the UK. Let me tell you all, FIRE doesn’t even begin to describe what happened. I think I’m still processing…
To begin with, there were two supporting acts, Rusalka and Zuzu. First, we were eased into a very atmospheric, keyboard-only performance by a girl with a shade of lost dreams in her eyes and long wavy hair (in Slavic mythology, Rusalka is a demon mermaid). I’m sure her mysterious singing opened up a portal to another reality somewhere. The power of music, am I right? Then, when Zuzu took over, her electrifying personality and bright pink blazer quickly became another center of attention. The girl’s band enabled her to steal their thunder, yet remained invested in the performance nonetheless. It was a lot of fun. Rusalka and Zuzu, two contrasting forces, provided excellent warm up before Yonaka’s big entrance.
Red high wasted shorts and a black boxing robe, there was only one element missing from Theresa Jarvis’s attire — boxing gloves. Yonaka’s front woman was more than ready for battle when she arrived on stage. Indeed, fighting for one’s dreams is probably the most important recurring theme in the band’s music so it was only fitting to highlight it even more. Plus, fierce women, you know what I’m sayin’? However, looks can be deceiving so our jaws dropped the moment Theresa started singing. Her voice, strong enough to blow off the roof, combined with incredible verve and vibrancy just made us come alive. We easily fell in line with her request which was to leave our worries behind, be present and let the music work its magic.
There’s no denying that Theresa’s talent and drive is a sturdy pillar in the band. That’s not to say that the boys don’t devote their 100% to the performance, because they do. The best example I can give you was George, who stepped down from the stage, straight into the mad crowd of fans and, struggling to keep the balance, he played his guitar flawlessly. It’s freaking impossible to stand still during Yonaka’s concert ok? And when such an awesome bunch tell you to jump, you jump so that’s exactly what we did. Interestingly, there weren’t only twenty and thirty-somethings present. Next to me danced an elderly couple enjoying the music as much as everyone else. Isn’t that the most beautiful thing about music? It connects us regardless of age, distance or social status — nothing matters, only music.
I could go on and on about what a crazy night to remember that was and it would still not translate the atmosphere of that amazing show properly. We had our world rocked by all of our favorite songs, “Fired Up”, “Creature”, “Rockstar”, “Lose Our Heads” and more. All of us went out of the venue energized for months ahead. I guess all that’s left to say now is simply a huge thank you, guys. Until we meet again.
