Dooga Dooga

Jump to Comments

I was a bit worried going into the Jens Lekman show on Sunday night.  Despite really liking the album I have (Night Falls Over Kortdela) I had seen a couple clips on YouTube that frankly were not all that impressive.

The show was at Music Hall – a converted old church on UWs campus.  It was small (in a good way) and apparently is the home to several bats who came out to see the show as well.  They were especially fond of the opener, flying circles around the ceiling above our heads – I imagine some of the attendees in the balcony were enjoying them a little less than I.

The opener was unlike anything I had ever seen.  He came out, strapped on a guitar, and hit play on his Macbook.  The recorded music began (including recorded guitar) while he supplied the lyrics.  Following the next song he asked jokingly if we could hear his guitar ok.  Several later he took the guitar off (in order to play a song that did not have recorded guitar).  It was almost like a good karaokee show, with original compositions.  Very… interesting.

Next up was Jens Lekman.  Guitar, keyboard, and vocals for himself, his crew supplied the violin, viola (right?), drums, bass, and another Macbook Pro.  My concerns about the live show were very quickly assuaged.  The show not only sounded great but Jens also entertained with between (and mid) song stories and explanations.

The crowd loved the show, myself included.

Update: JNo took some pictures.