A Tribute to Lykke Li: The Girl, The Glam, The Goddess. [6/1, Highline Ballroom, NYC]
I know Lykke Li’s music. I like some of it. I knew she was playing in NYC last night. I didn’t stress too much about it. That is until a twist of events put me in a booth at the Highline Ballroom 5 minutes before she went on. Then everything changed. She came onstage with 3 dapper dudes backing her on various instruments. She ripped right into “Dance Dance Dance” and brought energy that rivals any of the remixes.
Lykke Li – Dance Dance Dance (Grandtheft remix)
Lykke Li – Dance Dance Dance (Buraka Som Sistema remix)
Lykke jumped and writhed around the stage with a presence and swagger that blew me away. At only 23 she performs like she has been doing this for years. She owns the stage and had everyone’s eyes locked on her as if blinking would somehow stop the how. I was a little bit in love.
Lykke Li – Little Bit (Death To The Throne remix)
Lykke Li – Little Bit (Villains remix)
Lykke Li – Little Bit ft. Drake & Mickey Factz
Throughout her set Lykke was armed with a drumstick (see photo above) that she would beat on anything from the mic stand to a tambourine to an actual drum. Fantastic. And then there was the Kings Of Leon cover. Ho. Ly. Smokes. If you thought you loved it in your earphones you should try it all up in your eye balls.
Lykke Li & Kings Of Leon – Knocked Up (Death To The Throne remix)
Lykke Li & Kings of Leon – Knocked Up
Lykke basically ripped through Youth Novels as if it was 2008’s top electro/disco record. Drums were heavy and sharp, synths were funked out, and Lykke just worked it. Hard. “Complaint Department” became a full on rave track.
Lykke Li – I’m Good I’m Gone (Black Kids remix)
Friendly Fires – I’m Good I’m Gone (Lykke Li cover)
All I can say about the experience is that it was epic. If Lykke comes to your town don’t miss out. I’m fully converted to the Cult of Li and if you aren’t already sold on her power then get there. Did I mention she covered “A Milli”? Yeah. Fa-resh.
Lykke Li – Breaking It Up (Pocketknife’s loosefoot remix)
She encored with “Tonight” and it was beautiful and completely moving. No surprise there.
Lykke Li – Tonight (dntel mix)
I tidied my jaw up off the floor and humbly shuffled home to dwell in the memory of it all. Anyway, that’s it for my ramblings and the remixes but here are a few more B-sides and a live Vampire Weekend cover to complete my little Lykke fest.