Live Review: Lemon Power/The Cleopatras at The Victoria, Dalston

Back in July, I had the pleasure of reviewing Lemon Power’s psychedelic, genre-blending single, Blackout. So, when I received an invite to their single release party for Animal in London, it sounded like a night not to be missed—I was more than ready to see what they had in store.

Fitting with the title of their new single, Animal, the event invited attendees to dress up as animals. Having not been to this particular venue before, I found myself following a trail of costumed party-goers, which made it much easier to locate the gig’s backroom in the pub—a slightly hidden gem of a space for live shows.

Originally, the evening was set to start with a performance by Pamela Von Horn, a burlesque artist. Although an unfortunate accident prevented her from performing, she was still able to host as a compère, adding charm and flair to the event.

Next up were The Cleopatras, an all-female band from Italy who delivered a standout set. This was my introduction to them, and I was hooked from the start. Their sound was an infectious blend of upbeat, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll, evoking the spirit of bands like Le Tigre but with a unique twist—less electronic and more rooted in classic rock and punk vibes. They draw influences from iconic artists like Joan Jett, Bikini Kill, and Blondie, which perhaps explains why I instantly loved their sound. The crowd was equally thrilled, and it was clear that they had made quite the impression.

After a short break, Lemon Power took the stage. Even before they began, their show was captivating, thanks to the backdrop of projected visuals—a mix of galloping horses and Western themes—which added a psychedelic touch and set the mood perfectly. They kicked off with Blackout, building up the energy with its dramatic and intriguing intro before launching into its punchy, punky beats.

Their set included tracks from earlier EPs, such as Headphones, Mantra, and Sweat, showcasing the versatility and range in their music. Each song brought something different: some leaned more towards indie, others had a punk edge, yet all felt distinctly unique to Lemon Power. Their genre-bending style defies easy categorization, blending elements in a way that makes their sound hard to pin down but refreshingly original. Of course, the new single Animal was a highlight, with its catchy chorus and infectious guitar riffs—a song destined to become a crowd favorite.

Lemon Power are truly an amazing band to see live; they’re captivating performers in every sense. Talented, cool, and effortlessly engaging, they kept the crowd immersed throughout. Towards the end, lead singer Sere amped up the excitement, dancing with the crowd and eventually closing out the set with some exhilarating crowd surfing. Even though I’m still familiarizing myself with their discography, I found the entire gig thoroughly entertaining and can’t wait to see them live again.