I officially want to move to Sweden. Aside from a burgeoning indie-music scene that is precariously teetering between underrated and overrated (I’m still in the camp that believes it’s the former), they do not believe in Valentine’s Day. I know this because Lykke Li told me so. OK, she also told the 1000 or so other patrons of a sold-out Showbox on the eve of the holiday-that-shall-no-longer-be-named. Those who were there to see the Swedish indie-pop It Girl bring her precocious, catchy, Scandinavian je ne sais quoi (or Swedish equivalent) were not disappointed. On her second go-round of the US touring off of the success from her 2008 debut album, Youth Novels, Lykke brought all that and more.
Opening the night were fellow countrymen Wildbirds & Peacedrums, comprised of husband-and-wife tandem Andreas Werliin and Marian Wallentin. The duo managed to evoke an astonishing, full sound during a set composed almost entirely of Werliin’s intense, tribal drum beats and Wallentin’s soaring, lamenting voice. They could have easily filled a venue four times as large. Wildbirds & Peacedrums have a unique and thrilling sound. At times it almost seemed like their songs were on the brink of flying apart, what with Weliin’s careening drums and Wallentin’s impassioned wailing. But like many great live acts, the duo is able to rescue the runaway train from the brink of derailment, and deftly so.
In the process of researching and compiling my list for melophobe’s top 10 albums of 2008, I eventually found my way to Youth Novels, and knew that Lykke Li was an act worth checking out further. After catching her August performance of “Breakin‘ It Up” on Conan , I had a feeling her live show would be worth seeing in person. (NBC took the video down, but here’s another version.)
I wasn’t entirely sure that her album—produced by Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John—would translate easily to the live stage. I was also wary of just the opposite: a live set that sounds yawningly similar to the record. Early in the set, it seemed that we may be headed down this oft-traveled path of the modern indie act, as the innocuous “Dance Dance Dance” got the X-chromosome-laden crowd moving, led by Li’s appropriately awkward yet adorable dance moves. Yet some of the poppy production of the record was replaced by the pure energy exuded by Li and her more-than-capable band, rescuing the show from mere repetition.
On stage, Li’s voice sounds as strong as ever, with a soft innocence that paradoxically hints at something more malevolent underneath, as brought out in some of her darker songs. But overall, it’s her stage presence that carried the show, as she poured her energy into song after song, never relenting or forgetting to bring the crowd along for the ride.
After the inevitably crowd pleasing “Little Bit,” the highlight of the night came at the tail-end of the set with a trio of songs that had the audience mimicking Lykke’s frenzied, spastic movements. “Complaint Department” took on a darker tone, with some dirty synth hooks and rollicking drums. It was one of the most rewarding moments musically, and the song‘s frantic ending could have been extended even further without much complaint from anyone in attendance. “Breakin’ It Up” and “Window Blues” helped close out the set, perhaps a still-limited catalog of material keeping the setlist relatively brief. An encore temporarily kept the inevitable post-concert yearning for more at bay, and concluded with a thoroughly enjoyable rendition of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?”
Can Lykke Li kick it? Yes she can.
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
thanks so much nadine! probably the best compliment a photog can get!
and thanks for reminding me to embed the video in the post too!
by Steve Benoit on Sun May 20, 2012 at 09.33 am from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
I can’t get over how these photos captured my up close memory of the night.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 11.08 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Or should it be whoever? F my grammar.
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.30 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
Whomever took these photos certainly captured the night!
by nadine on Sat May 19, 2012 at 10.26 pm from the entry: Father John Misty + Har Mar Superstar - Brighton Music Hall (Boston, MA; May 16, 2012)
“Mindkilla” is awesome. I’ve got this music video last week and really impressed through watching every performance particularly “Glass Jar”. Thanks dude. :)
dance contest
by Mark Waugh on Thu May 17, 2012 at 05.54 am from the entry: Gang Gang Dance's Illuminating "Mindkilla"
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
