Wondering how to beat the winter blues, website like this website I decided to get inspiration from some people who have experienced far colder weather and darker skies than anything London could hit me with, in a week bookended with gigs from Swedish girls. First up, Those Dancing Days on Monday whose perky but heartfelt 60s inspired sounds just about counter-balanced the fact that they only came on stage at 11.45, marooning me in icy New Cross way past my bedtime and the last train. They certainly have the tunes and the skills live, with a tight and skilled set, full of winsome glances at the crowd but little other interaction. Singer Linnea Jonsson looked like she was already bored with singing the same old songs night after night, not good news for such a relatively new band, although they treated us to a stormingly energetic encore of ‘Those Dancing Days’. The dominance of American Apparel regalia on stage was also a little disconcerting – do they sponsor these guys or something?
Less orthodoxly kitted out was Lykke Li on Friday, wearing a massive black sequinned bomber jacket/cardigan which sparkled all over the Koko stage as she treated us to her Run D.M.C. meets Bjork performance. Massively engaging without being cutesy she harangued the crowd to join in telling us “Manchester was better than you”, before segueing into ‘Can I Kick It?’ which had all the potential to be horribly embarrassing but wasn’t. at all She utterly charmed the crowd with her hits and the more obscure numbers, you get the sense that she will have real longevity as a musician as she seems to enjoy performing and getting a response from the crowd who in return totally adore her. A great way to start a Friday night with a smile and a dance – which are also surely the best antidotes to a chilly evening.
Tags:
Koko, London, Lykke Li, Review, Those Dancing Days
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