Robyn and Kelis @ 9:30 Club
Robyn, seen here performing at the Pitchfork Music Festival in July, played the 9:30 Club last night. Photo by Francis Chung.
Heavy bass and attitude might allow for some comparisons, but in thinking of Robyn and Kelis on the All Hearts Tour, let the comparisons stop there. At the 9:30 Club last night, preceded by Far East Movement and Dan Black, Kelis came with a husky alto, a sparkling silver wig, and spiked heels. Robyn had her own shock of white hair, sneakers and a slightly sweet soprano. To address a sold-out club of full of adoring fans, the ladies asked for nothing but some hands in the air and some reckless dance moves -- and receive they most certainly did.
Despite her human heart backdrop, Kelis didn't let waves of energy pulse as Robyn would in the set to follow. Sure, she had her fans pledge allegiance to the dance floor as she stood sentry over a glowing red microphone, but given the reaction her milkshake moves got, it seemed the disco queen could have stepped from her tottering heels more fully into her musical atmosphere.
But take that with a grain of salt. It's tough to look back when the lens is clouded by Robyn's joy. Kelis threw out tunes like "4th of July (Fireworks)," "Emancipate," and "Scream" at an impressive pace. In a set loaded with material from May's Flesh Tone, she seemed able to do no wrong in the eyes of her beloved as they danced across 9:30's floor, especially when marrying "Milkshake" with Madonna's "Holiday." Climbing from the stage and showering a delighted crowd with confetti as "Acapella" came to a close, her tired smile was as big as her dress was small.
Robyn, on the other had, may call to mind the 90s and her pop hit "Show Me Love," but tunes like "Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do" from her latest release, Body Talk PT 1 were a reminder that this isn't teenage Robyn. The girl we used to know is in there still, thrilled to be onstage, but she's found a floorboard-busting beat and just the right amount of attitude. Her fans seemed glad for the maturation, as their hero punched the air, twirling wildly and dragging the mic stand across the stage as her kindred spirits joined in for a profanity-(and-synth)-laden singalong.
"Dancing On My Own" and "Konichiwa, Bitches" turned into singalongs as well, but both gave the Swedish songstress plenty of room to shine. Singing to the rafters and flying all over the stage as she mopped sweat from her brow, Robyn offered material from across her catalog, including a charming cover of Teddybears' "Cobrastyle" and (of course) her own classic "Show Me Love." It's tough to find somebody who's having more fun at work than Robyn, and it's contagious.