Live Review: Ville Valo & Kaelan Mikla @ Nottingham Rock City

Ville Valo & Kaelan Mikla

Rock City, Nottingham 

11th March 2023

How do you find an act to open for someone like Ville Valo? Often supports can be an awkward fit but Icelanders Kaelan Mikla prove their worth with a set which is both quirky and absorbing.  Imagine an all female doom synth version of The Cure fronted by Bjork and you get the picture. Is that a nod towards ‘A Forest’ on the bassline we hear?  It’s all very ethereal and mysterious with some witchy dance moves thrown in for good measure. It’s also rather good and highly original. Full marks to the booker.

That the whole if this tour sold out in a blink of an eye shows the value placed on Ville Valo by his fans. It’s a wide ranging audience too with the more mature accompanied by some not even born when HIM first formed. Valo oozes style and class from every pore. His voice sounds timeless, as if he would dare to age!  This is less a concert and more a celebration. It’s one of those events where time passes at the speed of light while you’re transfixed in one moment. We need to mention the band too. They play note perfect throughout. The focus though is on one of the most enigmatic performers around. Tonight the much adored Fin hypnotises all present with a performance that is as effortless as it is superb.

Review and photos by Gary Trueman