Concert Review
Artist: Lykke Li
Date: February 11, 2009
Venue: The Commodore Ballroom
Where: Vancouver, BC

Beware: there's a new rock star on the rise and she's decked out in boho-chic wear with one swaggering attitude. Last night in Vancouver, Lykke Li performed an energized and thrilling set to a sold-out concert at the Commodore. Confident in front of a club full of screaming fans, Lykke Li definitely wowed the audience, myself included, as she exceeded expectations.

Curious how Lykke Li was going to re-create her sound in a live setting because her slightly synthesized and low-key record is perfect for exiting that REM state in the morning, I got more than I asked for, as Lykke Li sang with a coolness that was sincere and honest.

Starting with "Dance, Dance, Dance," Lykke Li had rabid fangirls on the floor dance, dance, dancing. With a surplus of these fangirls (to the lack of fanboys), the Commodore was loud and noisy as Lykke Li enthralled her Vancouver supporters. Her set continued with some favourite tracks off her debut album, Youth Novels, like "I'm Good, I'm Gone" (there is a great acoustic version circulating the interweb at www.blackcabsessions.com), "Everybody But Me," and "Little Bit."

Further, her band was really tight and sounded incredible the whole night. To my surprise, she had her guitarist play an acoustic guitar, instead of an electric one, and the concert still sounded like a great rock show. And when she sang "Breaking it Up," one of the drummers messed up, so she stopped and started the song again. She then invited some girls on stage to dance as she sang and the fangirls went from rabid to beyond comprehension.

Another highlight was during "Window Blues" when Lykke Li encouraged participation from the audience. She got the whole Ballroom to sing along, counting one to six in French; the participation aspect was a huge hit with everyone.

And perhaps one of the most memorable parts of the entire night was when the opening act, Swedish duo Wildbirds and Peacedrums, came on stage to play with her band. Honestly, I think more headliners should encourage opening acts to play with them; they are ephemeral experiences and anything out of the ordinary is most welcome.

For her encore, Lykke Li performed, with genuine emotion, an exceptionally great live version of "Tonight," and a cover of A Tribe Called Quest's "Can I Kick It?" which was fun, catchy and ended the show with some aural pyrotechnics.

And openers Wildbirds and Peacedrums were nothing short of entertaining, experimental and really cool. With just one singer, a drummer, and a device that created the sound of an old microphone, the pair were able to perform a great set using the singer's amazing vocals (think of Regina Spektor's Swedish twin) and the drummer's heavy beats.

Catch Lykke Li next time she is in your town because she puts on one hell of a concert; connecting with the audience and demonstrating her practiced showmanship (or perhaps show(wo)manship) that proves her natural ability to be a rock star.

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