Not even the FDNY and a room full of smoke can prevent me from finally seeing Ladyhawke live. A year of patiently waiting for her to gain enough steam to came to the U.S. came to fruition tonight.
Just to make things interesting, the sold out Bowery Ballroom had the added pleasure of standing in a smoke filled room with no air conditioning and no ventilation for 45 minutes. Rock shows rule! More on that later.
Let me tell you, that was one great set for Miss Pip Brown of New Zealand. Despite all the retro 80s synth sounds and imagery, she's a rock chick at her core. You can pump your first or just dance to your heart's content. It's one of the finest debut performances I've seen from a foreign act.
After inhaling smoke, she played about a 40-45 minute set -- skipping "Better Than Sunday". The setlist:
- Professional Suicide
- Manipulating Woman
- Dusk Till Dawn
- Magic
- Another Runaway
- Danny & Jenny
- Back of the Van
- Paris is Burning
- ENCORE: My Delirium
I've mentioned plenty of times on this space how I grow tired of bands taking ques from 80s new wave, so what makes Ladyhawke different? Her music is steeped in nostalgia, she remembers the music she grew up with and makes it her own. As I said, this was a rock show with guitars, drums and basses with a couple of small synths to add that level of other worldliness. Even though her music and name brings up images of 80s pop culture, she doesn't lean on it as crutch, relying more of great choruses and a rocking dance beat.
When I first dropped her name in the Camden Crawl 08 preview, I said she was Peaches, Debbie Harry and Stevie Nicks all in one. After hearing her nearly perfect debut album, I would drop the Peaches and add in Heart, both the 70s and 80s versions. Pip has hitmaker status written all over her songs. The sign of a talented artist is that you hear a song and you instantly get hooked. Then, after the hundredth time you've heard the tune, it still makes you excited, just like the first time. P.B. has several of those songs like Dusk Till Dawn, Magic, Back of the Van, Paris is Burning and My Delirium.
The only piece I've been missing is seeing her live show. She's been performing these songs for almost two years, so she comes in perfectly seasoned and ready to rock the house. Although, she doesn't necessarily look like she's ready to rock the house. As you might know, Pip suffers from performance anxiety, specifically Asperger syndrome. Thus, she barely speaks between songs and shuts her eyes most of the time during the show. No matter, she's a hell of a musician and I couldn't have ask anything more from her.
By far, this was the show I wanted to see the most this week. I wanted to discover her songs in a live setting and, frankly, get my dance on, clap to the beat and scream about how awesome she is. The show went by so fast, a sure sign of a quality set.
The quick story behind the smoke inhalation for 45 minutes. During the setup, everyone started to smell smoke. As first, I though it was that fake fog used for shows. Then you see the room get cloudy, not thick, but enough to notice. The smell wasn't strong, just enough to question what was going on. Eventually, a Bowery dude gets on the P.A. and says that there's a fire nearby on the block, it's under control and the show will continue. Then he added they are turning the air conditioning off until the smoke disappears. Well, nothing like a little toxic fumes to get you ready for some good times. Did your gig last night have that? I don't think so.
To further torture me, Hearts Revolution from Los Angeles opened up. If Eddie Argos heard this band, he might reconsider his move to L.A. Just annoying, recycled 80s synth dance crap. Think Crystal Castles without the sense of destruction. It's a drummer and synth guy with a lead singer who jumps around and screams nonsense like a little girl. I pray for the day that this electroclash fad goes away again. As I looked around, thank god I wasn't the only one with their arms folded with a look on their face that says, "Could you please get off the stage?"
Peggy Sue was a last minute addition to the line-up, albeit an odd choice being that they are a folk band. No matter, me likey. I didn't think Monday's performance at Pianos wasn't their best effort, and they agreed. Katy said during their set, "This is our second New York show. Our first one was last night and it was atrocious." This set was five times better. Katy and Rosa looked well rested and their set was tighter with more depth. Especially when Rosa hits all those painful, confessional high and lows during the songs, it does make a difference. The end result was the Peggy Sue I wanted to see.
Peggy Sue is just adorable, I love her to death! :)
Posted by: wow gold | March 25, 2009 at 08:27 PM
saw ladyhawke in dublin, fucking disaster she mimed two thirds of the set and had a backing track skip. Just woeful bad it has sullied the album (which i loved) for me. Hope you got a more honest performance.
Posted by: DG | March 26, 2009 at 03:45 AM
why is she dressed like that? is it supposed to be hip or something or was this show on Halloween...don't get it nor do i desire to. Pip, that is.
Posted by: Indie Rock Sucks | March 26, 2009 at 10:48 AM