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CSS - Vogue Theatre Oct/01/2011
I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS.

Lykke Li + Grimes = Light Show + War Dance

Lykke Li
Guest: Grimes
The Vogue Theatre
May 27th, 2011
Grimes 9:30pm / Lykke Li 10:30pm

Where do I begin to try to describe the show I just witnessed?
It had been a few months since I'd seen a show at The Vogue and it was incredibly nostalgic walking in through the doors and into the heart of the venue. I arrived just past 9pm and walked into a packed theatre. There was an excitement in the air, it was almost palpable and electric. Concert-goers milled about with their drinks in hand waiting for the opener Grimes to begin her set.

At around 9:30 Grimes -- stage persona of Claire Boucher, a multi-instrumentalist who syncs and loops her bass, synth and electronic beats into her keys to which she sung to. Almost immediately I noticed her unique voice which carried itself distinctly through her experimental-pop/contemporary melodies. She blew me and I'm sure everyone away with her child-like voice and overall cosmic-ethereal weirdness. I found her to have adorable stage presence, I couldn't help but smile and dance throughout her set. She stood centre stage with two keyboards and sang her trip-hop/melodic word rhymes-- it really does take you someplace special.
She's a Montreal based, Vancouver artist and she has me hooked.
Her music is particular yet strangely beautiful, it is genre-bending and absolutely unique.
I regret not buying her album after the show -- it is now on my list of "must finds."

This song sounded so great live.
Grimes - Vanessa

Grimes - Vanessa from Arbutus Records on Vimeo.

(I think I love this song--- and it's only been a few hours since I first heard it)

After Grimes' set --
Lykke Li took to the stage at around 10:30. Might I add that Lykke Li strutted on stage in a black robe/cloak that revealed just enough to make you swoon. She looked like a ghostly dark phantom that emerged from the smoke and flashing lights to deafening applause and cheers. From what I remember she opened with Jerome ---- I think.
It really doesn't matter what songs she played, or in what order, all that really matters is that Lykke Li commanded the stage with her "war dance" amidst the seizure-inducing light show. It was an incredible visual, an experience that leaves you hollering with excitement, and wanting more.

Lykke Li was accompanied on stage by musicians clad in black. There were two percussionist and therefore drum-sets, a plethora of keyboards/synths, an accompanying singer and a bassist/guitarist who all encircled Lykke Li, who stood front and centre stage.
What sets this show apart form the many others I have seen is perhaps the brilliant stage design of long black drapes which tossed and danced in the "wind" around the musicians on stage. The music stands on its own, Lykke Li, a Swedish native absolutely embodies a distinctly powerful voice which carries itself across in anthemic songs like "I Follow Rivers" and yet can still deliver the sweet and delicate sentiments of "I Know Places." She played a cohesive mixture of songs from both her albums, Wounded Rhymes and Youth Novels. Bringing out audience favourites "Little Bit," "Dance Dance Dance" with a strong focus on her 2011 release.
She also played an unreleased track which she doesn't play often (?) ("Made Me Move/Made You Move?), she played this just after telling us that we were "the best audience so far" which is always a great thing. Brilliant

My favourite moment of the night:
Lykke Li's band left the stage and she proceeded to play "I Know Places" sans accompanying musicians. It was a beautiful moment, and the audience shushed up for those few moments..... until she launched into an upbeat song which prompt the audience to break the silence and cheer, dance and enjoy the music.

Lykke Li - I Know Places

(My favourite track off of Wounded Rhymes)

Stars May Have Lost Their Shimmer?

Photo Credit Here
Stars
The Vogue Theatre
Nov 4, 2010

The last time I saw Stars perform were on Nov 17, 2007 at the Commodore Ballroom.
That was a great evening, the sound was mixed well, the audience was enthusiastic and the live music was enjoyable.

I expected the same type of show at the Vogue Theatre. Admittedly, I hadn't quite listened to their new album Five Ghosts to a point where I had all their lyrics memorized as with their previous release. But nonetheless I was looking forward to a good show.

A friend and I went to Guu Gardens to grab a bite to eat before the show. We saw Amy Milan and crew seated in the restaurant as well. I soon found out as the night progressed that it would be the best moment of that night. A simple sighting completely trumps the show.... let me tell you why.

Once we set foot into the theatre we decided to stand up by the stage.
Once the opener Young Galaxy began I immediately felt uncomfortable... was it just me or was the sound coming from the speakers distorted?
My body core was vibrating so extremely that I felt anxiety rise in my chest.
Usually the bass/drums would cause our clothes and selves to vibrate and move. This usually happens at any live show were the instruments and vocals were mixed well. I was expecting this.
Instead, the sound of the keys and synths created waves of nausea to set inside me.
The sound was so unfortunate and it really ruined the night for me.
I could hardly hear the vocals -- the sythns and keys were TOO loud, guitars not loud enough. I didn't think the sound was mixed well at all. I'm not an expert, but I could have used more vocals.

To add to my discomfort with the sound, the audience really did not help. One in particular thought that claiming space would, what, give them more wiggle room for their very slim body type? I would love to forget this night ever happened. I've been to enough shows to understand that concert etiquette is not hard to understand. Don't push in front of people and increasingly make a point to claim more space. What an irritating experience.

This is not to say that Stars' performance was lacking at all. Visually Torquil Campbell and Amy Milan had great stage presence. They were full of energy and were both great performers. Torquil was working up quite a sweat, needless to say it was very "rockstar" like. Amy Milan worked the stage in 4 inch heels, we later found out that she's 5 months pregnant! I had no idea, she was glowing on stage.... and that may be why. They played old songs and new had great energy, they also had an small intermission midway through their set and played 2 acoustic songs. It was magical.
It was a great show to watch and be absorbed in. Unfortunately the sound, for me anyway, really brought the night down.

Maybe if Stars were to come to perform in Vancouver again on their next leg of their tour --- I may consider going if they were to play a different venue.

(It's funny because some of my favourite concert memories were at The Vogue Theatre, Joanna Newsom - Amazing. ---- I don't know what happened this time around. Was it the venue/sound/band? --- maybe just my ears?

CocoRosie at The Vogue Theatre - Fairy Paradise

CocoRosie - Fairy Paradise (Live at the Vogue Theatre before their show on June 24th)


COCOROSIE's - "Fairy Paradise" from album Grey Oceans - CocoRosieland.com CocoRosie.Fr
Video by: Jeremy Power Regimbal - www.jeremypowerregimbal.com
For the photos and interview check out: www.thelabmagazineonline.com/blog