A while back another photographer mentioned he had shot Elvana and they were fantastic, so when I saw they were coming through Cambridge this year, I added it to the calendar early on.
On Friday night the marked date finally arrived, I’d seen photos and videos from earlier in their tour and it looked like they put on one hell of a show. That was an understatement!
If you are unfamiliar, they are Elvis fronted Nirvana, hence the portmanteau. So rather than trying to simply be a tribute to either act, where you need to nail the songs while being respectful to the late artists, they can put a new spin on both catalogues.
Before the king would take the stage, an act with a similar take on the tribute act would get the crowd going. Nic Cage Against The Machine, who also smash out 90s rock classics. With a frontman who rather than trying to do their best Zach de la Roche impression, is doing a Nicholas Cage one!?
They would rattle through some of Rage Against The Machine’s greatest hits, with a nod to the Tony Hawk game during Guerilla Radio, with “Nic” going for a skate through the crowd.
With the crowd warmed up and waiting for the King to arrive, someone in a high vis took to the mic, to inform us the King has had an incident with a cheeseburger. Only for him to be brought on to the stage in a wheelchair, the show must go on.
Flanked by cheerleading backing singers equipped with Pom Poms and Elvis rocking some very Cobain sunglasses, they would belt out Nirvana tunes, with the occasional mash up with Elvis songs.
The crowd lapped every moment of the show up, including being part of the show when the King walks amongst them through the crowd. Or when he’s conducting a circle pit in the middle of the room.
Through costume changes and Lidl Less Conversation punchlines, all to a soundtrack of great songs, backed by a great band. The King would convert even those with the small sense of humours, to worship at his feet.
I will continue to pass on the word of Elvana to others, encouraging them to attend any of their shows you can.
