Firma, Hard Rock Cafe, 10.03.2017

Oh God I love this band! When I was in high school, I used to have a giant crush on Rocca. Fast forward 15 years and I still have a giant crush on Rocca….’s voice. I always enjoyed Romanian alternative rock and I love most of the classics of this genre, but Firma always has and always will hold a special place for me. And as it is with most local bands, up until last night, I still hadn’t seen them live, for some strange reason. 

So, special band, first time live after ages of listening to them, it was bound to be a special night. And so it was, and nothing was able to change that. Not the fact that I hate Hard Rock Cafe and its concept of “eat, drink and talk while famous artists are giving their all on stage” (it’s too much of a circus act for me, without the connection with the artist that normally comes from a live show), not that I will never understand experiencing a rock concert while sitting at the table, not even how you could hear people talking and laughing when the music was quieter. I tuned out everything going on around me and focused strictly on the band and their music and I was in my own world. 

And what a beautiful world that was, I just couldn’t get over how much I love this band, that was the thought that never left me throughout the show. Every single song was so good, the music so addictive, the lyrics simple yet so powerful and appealing to such deep feelings, the band so relaxed and friendly… and yes, Rocca’s voice is absolutely to die for. When I first saw him on stage I was a bit confused and was wondering if that’s really him (he changed a lot), but the moment he opened his mouth, all doubt fled. There is no way to mistake that intriguing indescribable voice. My only regret was that they didn’t play La orbire. I was sure they were going to end with it, especially when they said they “forgot” a song, but sadly, no. 

The conclusion of the evening was that we need to see them again under proper circumstances. I enjoyed them so much, that moody mix of genres and states of spirit, their simple and open attitude, just singing and having fun… it was lovely. They are such an eclectic band and such a great embodiment of what Romanian alternative rock is about, stirring up all sorts of feelings and images that are so familiar and compelling and yet so hard to describe. This is such a shitty review :)) I have the words on the tip of my tongue and yet can’t bring myself to write them, and in a way that’s exactly what makes Firma and the other night so good. So simple and clear cut on the surface, yet so vast and intriguing once you start to truly explore. I can’t get enough of it!