Review: Fever Ray Live at the Troxy, London
It had been a few years since I first saw Fever Ray in London, but with the release of “Plunge“ there were high expectations for another great show. Last time Fever Ray took to the stage looking like something from the Ring. Her long straight hair obscuring her face, as she stood in a free-flowing black dress. The minimal lighting created a certain ambience, as the music swept across the audience.
Since then, Karin Dreijer as Fever Ray has reinvented herself, or rather image-wise at least. As her all-female band took to the stage, Fever Ray then appeared with a shaved head, tight shorts and a t-shirt bearing the slogan “I love girls”.
It wasn’t such a mysterious performance as last time, although her make-up still deliberately distracting from her natural look. Instead, there was almost a club-night feel about the show, along with some semi-choreographed dance moves.
Fever Ray’s backing singers were very much involved in the action too. Stage right dressed in an inflated strongman suit, stage left acting more the stereotypical popstar. Elsewhere the live synths created most of the music, while the 2 percussionists often appeared slightly out of time.
I didn’t mind that though, for live electronic music often runs the risk of being false, with too much coming from a backing track.
“When I Grow up” from Fever Ray’s self-titled debut album was an early highlight. Showing that for all the image change, musically it was still as to be expected. What was interesting too was looking at the crowd, a mixture of arty-types and those just out after working in the big city.
Then there were some tracks where you could imagine introducing more mainstream x-factor types. It’s not that Fever Ray is trying to win over a commercial audience, but she could certainly sing a pop song with style given the chance.
Also, tonight was just as much about embracing the onstage performance as promoting her new album. At times getting rather affectionate with her dancers, reminiscent of Madonna, only unlike the queen of pop, presumably not just for show.
The setlist for Fever Ray live at the Troxy, was split between both her studio albums. At times focussing on those darker electro moments from the debut release. While these sat beautifully alongside the more upbeat dance tracks from “Plunge”.
As for the encore, the acoustic guitars were brought out in a somewhat surprising moment. “If I had a Heart” however is far from your standard girls with guitars. Things picked up again for last song “Mamas Hand”, closing the night with lasers beaming their way to towards the exit.
Review Fever Ray Live at the Troxy, London
Fever Ray
