When you live in a remote country in northern Europe, gothic country bands are not exactly queuing up in front of you. Be there or be square. Federale from Portland, OR are on their first European tour including Spain, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Italy. For some reason, countries like Belgium, Netherlands and the UK are not included. Nor did they tour in Central Europe (Poland, Czechia and Hungary). The latter countries are really into this kind of music. Federale can be labeled as "gothic western", "spagetti western", "Cinematic Western Folk Music" and last but not least "spagetti northwestern" (very witty). The setting was perfect. The derelict Meatpacking District (Slakthusområdet) in Stockholm, Sweden. The district was inaugurated in 1912. Not very long ago it was a thriving industrial area with 200 companies who employed 3 500 people. Nowadays, the Meatpacking District is being transformed "through sustainable urban development with a focus on food, culture and experiences". Sounds pretty awful to my ears, to be honest. Thousands of new homes and workplaces and a large range of restaurants, trade and services are going to replace the old area. The gentrifying process is expected to be completed around 2033. The venue, Hus 7, was even more perfect. An old industrial building with cold rooms and PVC curtains with place for 300 visitors. This is obviously a hipster-controlled area. I'm outside of my comfort zone and brought two friends with me. Not much happens on a Monday night in Stockholm, especially not in November. Monday is not a day for concerts. The band reflected about this themselves on their Facebook page: "Stockholm! Wow. Best Monday gig in a long time (ever?!)!! We got a lotta love for you!".
Maybe 100 people have showed up, which is a pretty decent number considering the non-existing marketing activities. I look around me. I can't wrap my head around the audience. They are a mixed bunch. Maybe they are regular visitors to the venue or just music lovers. Federale takes the stage and starts off with confidence. They seem dedicated to put on a good show. The tour is called the Reverb & Seduction tour. The setlist has an emphasis on their latest album. Personally, I prefer the first two albums "La Rayar: A tale of revenge" and "Devil in a Boot" (the two most Ennio Morricone-influenced albums in their catalogue). They play only one song from these albums. On one hand, Federale are on a promotion tour for their latest album. On the other hand, they are in Europe for the first time and could show a wider palette. This night, Federale were more of a rock band with spagetti western influences, than a spagetti western band with rock influences. Luckily, on a few occasions their classic spagetti western influences shines through with guitar loops and high-pitched vocals. This is what I came for. Federale are an accomplished and compatible band with proficient musicians. All wrapped up in amply stage light and smoke machine. Seems like the band also had a good time. All in all, I have nothing to complain about. On the contrary. The $18 ticket was money well spent.
Setlist (as I perceived it)
1. Advice From A Stranger (Reverb & Seduction)
2. Aim for the Heart (No Justice)
3. Heaven Forgive Me (Reverb & Seduction)
4. No Strangers (Reverb & Seduction)
5. The Worst Thing I Ever Did Was Ever Loving You (Reverb & Seduction)
6. Sundown, Sundown (Our Side Of Their Story)
7. All the Colours of the Dark (All The Colours Of The Dark)
8. Hope Don't You Haunt Me (Reverb & Seduction)
9. Shitkicker (All The Colours Of The Dark)
10. The Fire Came Down From The Mountain (All The Colours Of The Dark)
11. Blood Moon (Blood Moon / Mona Lisa)
12. The Blood Flowed Like Wine (The Blood Flowed Like Wine)
13. Talk Is Cheap (No Justice)
14. I Let Love In (Our Side Of Their Story)
15. Almería (All The Colours Of The Dark)
16. Hero (Devil in a Boot)
Encore
17. Taxman Blues (cover)