WHO: Ollie Wride
WHERE: Scala (275 Pentonville Rd, London N1 9NL)
WHEN: 15th June – 22nd October, 2023 (Tour)
OUR RATING: Do It!
Storefront City headed over to Scala for a fantastic evening of synthpop with renowned artist Ollie Wride and supporting Canadian band Parallels. Wride may be best known for his collaborative hits with San Francisco-based producer FM-84, as well as his work with other icons including Timecop1983 and Sunglasses Kid. His alternative rock pop with notes of electronic and synth-pop has an incredible and nostalgic energy which has led to two sold out tours in North America in 2018 and 2019, and a successful 2019 debut album ‘Thanks in Advance.’ As Wride prepares for the release of his highly-anticipated second album, he embarked on an exciting journey with a US tour, culminating in a spectacular performance in London. We were honoured to be in attendance at the legendary Scala, a venue that has transformed from a cinema into a vibrant nightclub and live music space.
Setting the night up for success was Canadian synth-pop group Parallels, led by Holly Dodson in a brilliant hot pink jacket and vocals to rival Kate Bush. Playing hit after hit combining classic synthesiser with Dodson’s powerhouse vocals, post-punk guitar (Colin Knighton), Walter Bernath on bass, and Christopher Pedraza’s insane energy-infused drums, there’s an incredible range of pop, new wave, and disco influences in their work which had the audience ravenous for more. Parallels has a history of strong albums, and with their newest release of ‘Factory Sessions EP’ there’s no stopping them! Watching them perform live was an absolute delight, as drummer Pedraza led the charge with boundless energy, while Dodson guided the band through an astonishing art-pop performance.
Now to Ollie Wride himself, who is not just a musician or performer, but an absolute showman in its peak definition, giving off the energy and moves of the icon himself, Freddie Mercury, who Wride seems inspired by. Dressed all in a glitzy black, Wride tore up the stage and the dance floor with spirited passion. Starting off with light-hearted bops he’s known for including A Matter of Time, Wild Boys and Back To Life, Wride had the audience at their feet and off the floor from the very start, with an amazing team of performers behind him including drummer James Cross, new percussionist Mike Orvis, bass James Rookyard, guitarist Elliot Coombs, and the effervescent Yasmin Ogilvie on saxophone.
Wride gave the audience what they wanted and more, performing several of his iconic tracks but also some new compositions from his upcoming second album, including a beautiful song called Wish You Well and the live debut of the sultry Holy Drug. From the light-hearted start Wride transitioned into some of his more intimate work on the piano, including FM-84 song Don’t Want to Change Your Mind and his own electrifying Stranger Love.
But this exhilarating performance didn’t stop there, despite Wride mentioning that he’d been ill the preceding days. Thanks to the care and support of his parents, he made a full recovery. Yet, if you saw Wride’s performance that night, you’d never have guessed he had recently been unwell. His remarkable energy and brilliant synchronisation with his bandmates was impressive. After his intoxicating performance of Juliette you could tell that Wride wasn’t done with London yet, coming back on the stage with an encore including some of his best known work Victoria and the mega-hit Running in the Night, another project that was created with producer FM-84. By the end of the performance Wride and his team were at one with the audience, creating a truly spectacular and unforgettable night.
Final Thoughts: The night at Scala proved to be an enchanting voyage through the realms of synthpop and electronic music. Ollie Wride’s performance, marked by his seamless transitions from cherished classics to tantalising previews of his upcoming album, was a testament to his unwavering passion and dedication to his art. Beyond a mere concert, this was an extraordinary and unforgettable experience, with Wride and Parallels leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of everyone in attendance.
