Concert Review - Robyn @ Popscene 2/7/08
GRADE: A
First off, I want to thank photographer (and Robyn fan) Monica Ortiz for the fabulous pictures posted in this blog! You rock my world sweetie! These pictures are awesome!
Every now and then a pop artist comes along that blows away all preconceived notions about how cheesy and affected pop music is. Robyn is in the same high fun pop concept category as other European chantueses like Jem, Annie, Rachel Stevens, Lily Allen, Kate Nash and Goldfrapp. These girls are able to keep intact the infectious main stream nature of pop music while expressing a new artistic sound that is ahead of its time.
I have been waiting for this Robyn concert since the late 90’s when she broke onto the scene the same summer as The Spice Girls, Britney and Christina. For some reason Robyn didn’t survive the tidal wave of pop acts that surged during the late 90’s.
But over in her native country of Sweden and across Europe she put out two innovative and R&B infused discs that were hits; “My Truth” and “Don’t Stop The Music”. Of course, we here in the states never got a chance to hear this music.
Robyn performed some tunes off of both of these older albums like “Don’t Stop The Music” and “Keep This Fire Burning” as well as her classic breakthrough pop song “Show Me Love”. Most of the concert ’s track listing was comprised of songs from her new, ridiculously creative and catchy album “Robyn”.
Songs like “Konichiwa Bitches”, “With Every Heartbeat”, “Cobrastyle” and “Be Mine” sounded as crisp and revolutionary as they do on her c.d. The experience in it’s self was artistically masterful and fine tuned.
Robyn’s voice live in person sounded just as clear and crisp as it does on her albums, if not better. The uber tiny space of Popscene at 330 Ritch here in S.F. was the perfect intimate space to hear these tunes.
I not only recommend that people see Robyn, but that they go out of their way to listen to her new c.d. and to see her live if they get the chance. It has been a long time since pop music has been this fun, smart and fashion forward.
Robyn is the queen of a new sound that fuses rap, techno, disco and R&B to meld together into a perfect orhcestra of smart bubblegum pop. This show couldn’t have highlighted these qualities any better.
WATCH YOU TUBE FAN FOOTAGE OF THE CONCERT BELOW (I AM THE GAY SPAZ JUMPING UP AND DOWN TO THE LEFT OF THE SCREEN):
February 16th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
great review Keith…very well written!!! much props. it was a pleasure meeting you on such a memorable and historic night. thanks again for the photo credit. what an awesome show?! seriously the best concert i’ve ever been to and the best day ever!