Concert Review: ILUKA in Austin
Review & Photos by Victoria Allen
ILUKA flew into Austin, Texas to deliver an incredible performance at 3Ten at ACL Live for the Wings Tour! No broom sticks were needed and no spells were cast, although she did have fans in a trance throughout the night. She gave us, here at Galaxy Magazine, an exclusive interview of into her music journey. I was blown away by her incredible vocals and raw lyrical creations. She has a remarkable stage presence that embodies confidence! Safe to say she killed it during her Austin show and certainly left a lasting impression!
VANITY kicked the night off with a stellar performance as they opened the concert. They classify the music they create as rock-opera. With an extremely expressive stage presence and highly theatrical style of performing, VANITY really has defined their unique style. They performed some fan favorites like "Size Two" and "(T)OUCH" which the crowd went crazy over. They also teased a couple of upcoming releases from their new debut album titled, Mascara Masquerade, which is set to release in less than 20 days. I won't spoil anything, but they did perform "Experiment." The song was released as a single along with the previous mentioned tunes - All of which will be featured on their new album. Check it out once it drops! The raw nature of their music fits well with the unfiltered style of ILUKA's songs.
ILUKA is Australian-born artist, that now lives in California. She explained that the meaning behind the name ILUKA derives from the indigeous Australian word, which means "by the sea" or "near the water." ILUKA embodies authenticity, not only in her songwriting but the also in her style and the way she incorporates it into her performances. She made her "witchy" appearance on stage surrounded by glowing floor candelabras while rocking her signature boots. The stunning entrance was highlighted by her ruby red dress, but the cherry on top was the rose covered mic stand.
"Wings" is a song that perfectly encapsulates ILUKA music and style, which is why I was excited to hear the song live. The lyrics themselves truly speak on feminine rage and that paired with a catchy, melody makes it an instant hit for many listeners. It was impossible to resist singing the chorus along with fans in the packed venue! That's one reason I love powerful music of this nature cause it's very real, relatable and easily unites people. Ifyou enjoy female vocalists that create empowering tunes like Florence + the Machine or Paris Paloma, you'll be obsessed with the music ILUKA creates. She actually draws inspiration from artists like Kate Bush, Janis Joplin, and David Bowie. The way ILUKA is rapidly growing and reaching wider audiences, I know it's only a (short) matter of time before she too finds herself included in the list of legendary artists!
Another raw song, is "Cry Evil!" and the song yet again, showcases ILUKA's clever songwriting skills. The song was included in the set alongside other popular hits like "Woman Gone Mad" and some that dedicated fans recognized like "Thoughts & Prayers." She even played "Witch Girls," an upbeat song that references Texas - Don't think there was any location correlation there (wink, wink). ILUKA delivered an ethereal performance and displayed impressive vocal range throughout the entire night!
It's not too late to catch ILUKA's tour and join her Coven. The final stop on the wings tour is September 3rd.I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing ILUKA prior to her set - Check out the full interview on YouTube this upcoming Tuesday! During the exclusive interview she dives deeper into the inspiration behind her music and shares her journey as a rising artist!
