Homem em Catarse | The Veils, Mouco, Porto, 25.06.2023.

Homem em Catarse © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

 words: Marcos Leal (freely translated by Raquel Pinheiro); photos: Telma Mota

As the time for the beginning of the concert by the band responsible for selling out Mouco Hotel’s room approached, the audience filled the room to the sound Homem em Catarse, Afonso Dorido's solo project. Between guitar, keyboards and voice, the musician painted cinematic soundscapes, sometimes more contemplative to the piano, sometimes denser due to the distortion emanating from the guitar, a well served bridge to the performance of the main band of the night.

The Veils © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

When the time arrived and under a round of applause, revealing the audience's enthusiasm, The Veils took to the stage and start with Bullfighter. However, Finn Andrews did not appear dressed as a bullfighter, nor does he bring a bullfighting cape with him, which does not prevent him from “fighting” the audience with the mastery that only an experienced artist has. Finn brings with him his characteristic hat and a look that matches the way he gestures, like a preacher, to the sound of his songs.

Between the sacred and the profane, Finn explored some of the most important songs of The Veils' career with particular emphasis on the recently released album ... And Out Of The Void Came Love. The pace of the performance grew with more electric with songs like Here Comes The Dead, Not Yet, Low Lays the Devil and Nux Vomica that lead the audience to a bigger uproar in which Finn seemed to embody a certain Australian neighbour called Nick.

The Veils © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota

When the encore arrives, Finn returned alone to play two songs. One of which, Leavers Dance, requested by the audience, hasn't been played live in about 15 years. Understandably, Finn plays it as best as he can without rehearsing, using the internet on his cell phone so he doesn't get the lyrics wrong. It was a fun and empathetic moment that will remain in Finn's memory and those attending.

With the whole band back on stage an encore with three excellent songs, Someday My Love Will Find Me and Rings Of Saturn, from the latest album, and Jesus for the Jugular from the album Nux Vomica – one of the most striking song of The Veils' career – in no way affected by broken strings. Therefore, the band – Finn Andrews (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Cass Basil (bass), Jo McCallum (drums), Tom Healy (slide guitar), Liam Gerrard (keyboards), Dave Khan (violin)-, said goodbye visibly pleased to have ended the tour in Porto where they were so well received by a room sold out promising a return.

The Veils © Mondo Bizarre Magazine/Telma Mota