O Sister! 3/7/2025
On Thursday, July 3rd, at 21:03 — yes, you read that right — exactly at the moment when the sun began to disappear into the sea, on a stage with the Alcazaba in the background and a gentle breeze blowing, I had the opportunity to attend a magnificent performance by “O Sister!” at Cable Inglés. This six-piece band from Seville has been taking its audience on a journey through the music of another era — the 1920s and ’30s, when swing and jazz reigned — blending the music of the past with today’s issues. They managed to musically captivate 250 people in just one hour. From the very first moment, not a single gaze left the stage, and even the few whispers heard were brief. A crowd of all ages followed the show with the same unwavering attention, not only to the wonderful concert itself but also to the familiar introductions before each song, which were filled with humor, a desire to raise awareness, and personal stories. Even though I wasn’t there when those moments happened, I could picture the singer finding her pink maracas on the floor of a party just from the way she described it.
So, what made this concert stand out? For me, three elements that I’d like to share: The first one… the people. On stage, I saw six individuals filled with enthusiasm and passion! No one appeared nervous, not even slightly uneasy. In my eyes, no one stood out above the others. Each member of the group had, in their way, a leading role. The voices blended in perfect harmony, and the musicians played with such expressiveness that together they each laid their stone to build a stunning musical mosaic. Their presence had something deeply theatrical — from their vintage clothing, dark trousers, and white shirts with subtle colorful accents to their entire stage demeanor. It felt like watching a comedy, a drama, a love story, and a musical all at once. With their nearly choreographed movements, their posture, their facial expressions, their music and melodies, even in their silences, they managed to create an enticing storytelling that kept us captivated for the entirety of the concert.
The second element… is exactly that: the stories behind each song. Songs about gentrification (Gentrificación Blues), the fast pace of daily life, climate change, and how easily we forget the beauty of a walk in the rain (I See A Sunshine When It Rains). They sang about how every woman is unique and should not be forced into molds imposed by society (Keep Your Head Up, Sister!), and many more. While these themes may seem disconnected, they share something essential: a love for humanity and concern for modern society’s problems. And although the upbeat, danceable music might initially distract you from the lyrics — as you’re swept away by the swing rhythm — “O Sister!” has achieved its goal. The message seeps into your subconscious, and if not in that very moment, then certainly hours later, it will provoke reflection.
Finally, what impressed me the most — and what I think made me truly admire them — was their musical ability. Throughout the concert, I counted at least 14 different musical instruments. Some were quite obvious, like the voices—whose exceptional range I’ve already mentioned — enhanced by sound effects like whistling, which stole the show. Others, like the double bass, maracas, banjo, and ukulele, were carefully chosen to match each song’s style and blend harmoniously. And then… There were the more unexpected ones, like a child’s party whistle or plastic toys that make noise, every day, familiar objects that added not only to the musical landscape but also to the theatrical atmosphere, which, in my opinion, elevated the performance.
As for the overall feeling… at the beginning of the concert, I was anxious — mainly because of work — just like many people caught up in the pace of daily life. But by the end of the show, that anxiety had magically vanished. An hour and a half had passed… and like everyone else, I was standing and clapping, wanting more. The only feelings that remained were excitement, joy, nostalgia, the urge to dance, and countless others that words cannot quite capture — feelings brought to the surface by “O Sister!” on stage. So, a heartfelt thank you for this wonderful evening, and my best wishes for the future! And for those of you who haven’t seen them live yet? Go listen to them! You won’t regret it!
Crítica de Zoi Michailidou
Fotos de Emilia Studnicka
