The Scene: The sun is setting earlier and we are transitioning into the fall and winter concert series. Gone are the long summer nights spent at Red Rocks, being replaced by indoor clubs and theaters that are abundant in the Mile High City. When an elusive and popular band comes to Denver, a crowd of 1600 will follow. The Ogden Theatre hosted a slice of the unconventional last week and it’s a shame if you missed it. The eccentric gathering of persons, with their platform shoes, glamour make-up and street style fashion were on a mission to witness the appearance and performance of the abstract musicians known as Little Dragon.
Little Dragon: The lights lowered and I was transported to a dimly lit Jazz lounge boarded by fragments of a night club. The Ogden orbited as its own planet Tuesday night when Little Dragon took the stage opening with “Mirror,” the first song off their 2014 album Nabuma Rubberband. It gave the eclectic crowd the first taste of singer Yukimi’s soulful smooth lyrics and voice. Ranging from deep tenor to high pitched alto, she is the dominant sound effect. The whole place was clamoring for a front row spot to catch a glimpse of the ridiculously cool and unique Yukimi.
Little Dragon was formed in 1996 by Yukimi Nagano and three of her high school buddies; Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Källgren Wallin (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (Keyboards). Hailing from Sweden, Denver was incredible lucky to have Little Dragon play the Ogden. They rarely tour in the US and when they do it’s usually to summer festivals and clubs or theaters in New York and Los Angeles. Promoting their new album, Denver was one of the last U.S shows before they headed to the La Cigale in Paris, France November 8th for the beginning of their European tour.
The uber progressive band has described themselves as a dreamy Pop, Soul Trance dance party mash up. Their futuristic sound is multi-dimensional but isn’t fuzzy or vague. They are incredibly present during the show; giving great care to each song. They’re not just making music for you to dance to but truly to take your ears and soul on a journey. Appreciated as art, the band gives you an auditory experience that digs deep and twists your insides. Feeding off of each other’s energy, live loops and beats are recreated quickly and attentively, reenergizing the crowd with newer songs, “Pretty Girls” and “Cat Rider.” “Crystal Film” and “Precious,” from 2011’s Ritual Union which debuted at number 78 on the US Billboard 200 were flawless.
Yukimi’s stage style, described as ultramodern, flavorful and fresh, paired a matching structured skirt suit and sneakers and made it easy for her to move around the stage as she encouraged her bandmates and raised her arms in acceptance of the sounds coming from the instruments. Participating by playing the tambourine on songs “After the Rain” and “Shuffle a Dream,” Yukimi and her and managed to cover much of their catalog. Jamming out songs from every album, including their more popular songs “Little Man,” “Ritual Union” and their first single from Nabuma Rubberband “Klapp Klapp” with enough energy to take the spaceship around the galaxy, the band was constant. Transporting you from funky dance grooves to slow jams, their inspirations are credited to De La Soul, Prince, A Tribe Called Quest and for Yukimi, Janet Jackson. The crowd swayed in unison, yet dancing with vigor while the band continued its spectacle. Dueling synthesizers and funky keyboards gave a mix of soulful sass and synthpop dance grooves that transitioned to a drum circle of sorts when all 4 band members picked up drum sticks and joined Erik Bodin’s on his drum kit pounding out a rhythm and creating a chest thumbing bass sensation for “Only 2.” Winding down with the title track, “Nabuma Rubberband,” the eager crowd sang along in a chant descending into silence as Yukimi belted out her final moving serenade: “Twice.”
If you’ve never heard of them or never listen to Little Dragon, do yourself a favor and tune in. Collaborations with Gorillaz on their song “Empire Ants” from the Plastic Beach album and Big Boi from Outkast have moved them out of obscurity. Their catalog includes four albums which all have done well and created buzz without dedicated promotions and marketing. Denver won’t be seeing Little Dragon again anytime soon which made Tuesday a rare and exceptional experience for all who attended.
Energy: A+
Musicianship: A+
Sound: A
Stage Presence: A
Lights: B
Overall: A
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