Della Lupa’s gigs are few and far between. They’ve got some big venues under their belt, so it was a surprise to find them playing for free at the Hope & Ruin. They have a history of doing things differently though, so maybe with them it’s a case of ‘expect the unexpected’.

The band has had a lot of incarnations, and their recorded material is packed with instruments you rarely hear on record – the harp and cello, to name two. Sadly the band’s line-up doesn’t currently include these, but it’s still on the strange side: there are two backing singers in place of a guitar, and keys are the dominant instrument. The rhythm section has an unusually close relationship with the keys, giving a lot of their songs an oddly rolling feel. Indie-noir, which is their chosen characterisation, doesn’t quite cut it: they’re more pop than indie but they’re more classical than either, and while they may be a little noir, it’s only an edge. Ultimately they’re a blend that makes any definite description difficult.

The band is fronted by singer and keyboardist Steph Brown, who has been vocal about the various cultural influences within the band. Eastern scales feature heavily, and latin rhythms creep in from time to time. ‘Della Lupa’ is italian for ‘of the she-wolf’, so in some ways Brown’s character on-stage, and one of the central messages of the band, is concerned with feminine strength. The band generally seems to be about more than music: there are no vacuous songs, but rather statements. Each song dealt with a serious theme, be it the animal part of human nature, or the recent Paris attacks. The band has historically also used visual art to complement their message: their music videos are thoughtfully imagined and directed, and their live shows usually feature body art of some kind. This time, since the concert was dedicated to Bowie, it was space-man style makeup by Headblush.

The concert was a showcase of their new material, which appears to be more rounded than the band’s previous releases. Mainstream is not the right word, as their music still stands out from the crowd – accessible, perhaps. There’s less focus on the outlandish scales and instruments, more focus on writing captivating songs. This may also be because Brown has admitted that, where before, she micro-managed the band and the song-writing, she’s now learned to trust her band members to take free rein. Accordingly, the songs have begun to take shape from all the members, and are more detailed as a result.

In any case the songs, new and old, went down well and the release being showcased is already eagerly anticipated. The crowd didn’t dance much – it’s not especially dance-friendly music – but there was a kind of electricity in the room and excitement in the crowd that suggested everyone there felt a part of what Della Lupa are doing. For a concert that was organised, funded and promoted by the band, it was a very professional and inclusive affair.

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