Little Boots at Highline Ballroom 3.2.10

I’ve been writing about Little Boots since the early days of Tastes Like Caramel, an artist who has gone from covering songs from her bedroom on YouTube to winning BBC’s Sound of 2009 Award and back around. Over a year ago I landed one of my first in-person interviews with Victoria Hasketh at the height of the hype during one of her rare shows in New York prior to the release of the album.

About 5 months later her much anticipated debut album Hands was  released, and honestly I wasn’t 100% in love. It was as if the big sound I’d fell in love with on such songs as Stuck on Repeat and Meddle had been confined and restrained for the album. The last time I saw Little Boots was last May at le poisson rouge, and once again felt a sense of confinement bordering frustration from Victoria’s stage presence.

However last night was a different story when Little Boots took the stage after 11PM at Highline Ballroom. From the set design consisting of mirrors, discoballs, crystals, volumized costumes, lasers and a laser harp, everything about Little Boots was bigger and better. I feel like THIS was the show that she had been wanting to do all along: visually and musically. The set clocked in at nearly an hour and covered most of Hands and included a new piano ballad “inspired by Twilight but not” titled Echoes (or Echo.) Hands sounded and looked much better in this context, a nearly flawless performance!

Class Actress at Highline Ballroom 3.2.10

However, Little Boots was not the only one to shine last night. As always Body Language put on a great supporting set, but I was very pleasantly entertained by the synth maelstrom that was Class Actress. Formed in Brooklyn, Class Actress‘ singer Elizabeth Harper has carved out a heavy, 80′s derived pop sound that will surely keep ears buzzing throughout 2010.

The band’s debut EP Journal of Ardency was released last month on Terrible Records (founded by Chris Taylor from Grizzly Bear and Ethan Silverman), be sure to purchase your copy HERE. Keep your eyes and ears open for Class Actress on tour, including a run through at SXSW.

mp3: Class Actress – Journal of Ardency [alt]
mp3: Class Actress – Careful What You Say [alt]
mp3: Little Boots – Remedy (Rusko’s Big Trainers Remix) [alt]

The show kicked off at 9:30 following a supporting set by Philadelphia’s Free Energy and was broadcast simultaneously on MySpace.com. The electronic quintet played 13 songs and 1 encore, clocking in at nearly 2 hours of absolute dance floor bliss! Hot Chip was in full form complete with steel drums, disco balls, synthesizers, keyboards, maracas, trumpets, drum machines, guitars and bass in full effect.

The set focused primarily on their new album One Life Stand but favorites such as Over and Over, Boy From School and One Pure Thought were present to the delight of old and new fans. Updated and live remixed songs kept the non-stop show fresh and unpredictable, with fans dancing and singing along to every lyric and melody.

The full set list from Friday night’s show can be seen in the clickable thumbnails below or in the full gallery HERE. One Life Stand is now in stores, be sure to pick up your copy and catch Hot Chip on tour…I demand it!

mp3: Hot Chip – The Warning [alt]
mp3: Hot Chip – Crap Kraft Dinner [alt]
mp3: Hot Chip – Touch Too Much (Fake Blood Remix) [alt]
mp3: Grizzly Bear – Boy From School (Hot Chip Cover) [alt]
mp3: Hot Chip – Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O’Connor Cover) [alt]

La Roux at Highline Ballroom, 10.26.09

La Roux made their highly anticipated return to the states on Monday night at Highline Ballroom with Brooklyn’s Body Language as the supporting act. Since interviewing Elly Jackson last month, we’ve been anticipating the North American tour, but along the road Elly’s been struggling through a viral infection that’s gone after her voice. The illness has forced cancellations of the Chicago and Boston tour dates, but luckily she was able to gather up enough strength to perform Monday in New York.

We also previously interviewed Body Language and regarded them as a band bound for big things this year, and under 5 months landed the supporting gig for Mercury Prize-nominated La Roux! They did a great job rousing the crowd with their funky dance tunes, which at times are pleasantly reminiscent of 90′s after hours house music in NY.

La Roux’s frontwoman Elly took the stage in a colorfully striped pantsuit after 10PM and kicked off the 35 minute set with Tigerlily. The shortened 9-song set included the UK bonus track Saviour but unfortunately left off Fascination. Luckily my favorite song Colourless Colour was smack in the middle of the dance set as my favorite moment of the night along with the crowd sing-a-long/assistance for the closer Bulletproof.

The states haven’t been kindest to La Roux with having to overcome sickness and extreme weather conditions (see All Points West Day 3: La Roux) but through it all we’ve seen 2 memorable sets from Elly & Co this year. Looking forward to the 2nd leg of the tour dubbed The Gold Tour in 2010 including rescheduled dates for Boston and Chicago. Get well Elly!

Check out our pictures and tunes below, including one of the most genius mashups: La Roux vs. The Killers – Smile Like You’re Bulletproof by SugaMotor!

More pictures from La Roux’s show on Monday HERE.

MP3: La Roux – Saviour or zShare

MP3: La Roux – Smile Like You’re Bulletproof (The Killers Mash) or zShare

MP3: Body Language -  Sandwiches (Body Language Mix) or zShare

MP3: Marina & The Diamonds – Obsessions (Body Language Remix) or zShare

Body Language (more pictures)

Esser at Highline Ballroom, 9.17.09

We were lucky enough to see Esser’s US debut performance in June at the now defunct New York club Le Royale.  Last week he came back around playing Highline Ballroom for a proper US tour with Datarock, but first we met up before the show for a quick interview (check back soon.) My animated caricature-like perception based on his stage persona was quickly humbled by the soft-spoken, sweatpants and sneakers-wearing Ben Esser.

Karin Park kicked off the night (we unfortunately missed her set but heard it was GREAT) before Esser took the stage at about 10PM.

Highline Ballroom is obviously a much bigger venue than Le Royale but Esser rocked the 30 minute set and worked the somewhat unfamiliar crowd.

This time around it was obvious that Ben was under at lot less pressure, dressing down onstage and having more fun doing so. At one point during the show he joined the crowd with a Heineken (seemingly his drink of choice) in hand and watched his band jam out. Although short and sweet Esser delivered another great set. Hopefully time will give us a much longer set next time.

MP3: Esser – Headlock (The Big Pink Remix) or zShare
MP3: Thecocknbullkid – Kiss Kiss Kill (Esser Remix) or zShare