Robyn, one of Sweden's best kept secrets, hit the United States for the first time to perform last week, and I was lucky enough to catch her sold-out gig at the Highline Ballroom (Two times at that place in four days, I was impressed with myself!). The elusive Robyn, who brought along two drummers, and a keyboardist/synth guy with her, claimed that this was "the first time she was playing in America", despite being an artist for 10 years, and putting out 4 amazing, solid albums (1997's Robyn Is Here, 1999's My Truth, 2003's overlooked Don't Stop the Music, and 2005's critically acclaimed Robyn). The crowd was truly diverse, ranging from the flocks of gay men who came to see their diva, to the hipsters caught onto the critical acclaim she's been recieving from Pitchfork, and the young urban couples who were up on the soulful strut and sass that Robyn exudes.
Opening the act was local DJ/singer Drop the Lime, who brought his "trouble and bass" to the Highline, with him singing over some RIDICULOUS (good thing) beats that had me pumped from the front row. I would definitely check him out again, his swagger was on point, and his mixing skills are pretty damn impressive. He had the whole front going, but I could tell that some of the crowd wasn't ready for his style just yet. I was on it though! You can't really tell from his MySpace, but he's got soul in his voice and he throws down on the turntables! He gets my stamp of approval.
When Robyn and her band hit the stage, all hands were on deck for what was soon to be an all out dance party. Both drummers synced up for her rapid-fire cover of The Teddybears' "Cobrastyle", and by the time she hit the ragga-tinged hook "...my style is the bomb-ditty-bomb-di-dang-di-dang-diggy-diggy...", the whole audience was into it, heads bobbing, hands waving, engaging in what seemed like a massive sing-a-long. Coming from anyone else, this would've seemed borderline cheesy. Someone like Fergie could NOT pull this off. Following that with song after song of hits from her latest album, she pulled all the stops out for New York, treating us to an hour and ten minutes of pop bliss. Jumping erratically from side to side on the stage, playing the drum machine on "Who's That Girl", and engaging playfully with the front row, she was just as into it as we were. The live band really made a big difference, making the beats pop, and fleshing out her soulful vocals. Even when she pulled out "Keep This Fire Burning", one of her best songs from Don't Stop the Music, an album not yet released in the US, the audience was singing along and just as into it, as if it were being played on the radio as frequently as the latest Mary J Blige song.
The highlight of the evening came when she returned for the encore, performing a minimally arranged version of "Show Me Love", her first single that broke her into the mainstream (albeit temporarily) back in 1997. She then followed this up with one hell of a surprise, a well-received Prince cover "Jack U Off" from his 1981 album Controversy. There wasn't a dull moment in the set during the entire show. She's got an upcoming spot at the Austin, TX festival SXSW, and I look forward to checking her again! She's phenomenal and I hope she embarks on a much bigger US tour so that everyone can get into the marvel that is Robyn!
Setlist:
Cobrastyle
Crash and Burn Girl
Who's That Girl
Bum Like You
Handle Me
Keep This Fire Burning
Konichiwa Bitches
Be Mine
With Every Heartbeat
--
Show Me Love
Jack U Off
--
Eclipse *
Be Mine (acoustic)
* on the setlist for the evening, but not performed.
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Please visit her MySpace page to check her out further. I've posted five of my favorites from Robyn's 11-year career. If you're feeling it, please buy her albums [Amazon]. I recommend starting with the latest album and working your way back through her discography. She's been ahead of the game for years if you pay attention! Pick up her albums and thank me later!
"Show Me Love" (from Robyn Is Here) [zShare]
"Main Thing" (from My Truth) [zShare]
"Should Have Known" (from Don't Stop the Music) [zShare]
"Bum Like You" (from Robyn) [zShare]
"Message In A Bottle (Police Cover)" (from her BBC Session - 1/26/2008) [zShare]
Bonus Download:
Snoop Dogg feat. Robyn, "Sexual Eruption (Fyre Department Mix)" [zShare]
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