As you might have noticed since we’ve spent so much time talking about it recently, the Stockholm edition of Sónar festival took place this weekend. We were there to investigate, and here are some of our highlights.
NIKI & THE DOVE
We were already excited for Niki & The Dove’s new music after the release of their latest singles ‘Play It On My Radio’ and ‘So Much It Hurts’, and after Sónar we’re only more excited. Their live show sees them add a little more momentum and muscle to their sharp melodies, bringing on a set of backing singers to turn ‘So Much…’ into an epic singalong.
HOLLY HERNDON
Herdon’s warped neo-electronica was not really for someone looking for a simple dance tune. The music was dizzyingly impressive, like something delivered back in time from a Neuromancer future, and when paired with Herdon’s deep-internet art aesthetic it made for one of the most challenging, but impressive sets of the weekend.
TOXE
Seeing Toxe means a trip to the Sonar Lab, the smallest of all three stages. A tent outside the main venue, this is where the dancing hardcore choose to spend their evening, and Toxe doesn’t let them down. She and her STAYCORE labelmates are making music that doesn’t really sound like anything else out there right now, dance songs build from harsh, thudding chaotic sounds. It takes a hell of a lot to brutally re-imagine Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ like her rework does.
YOUTH LAGOON
Trevor Powers’ Youth Lagoon project is finishing up soon, which means was their last live show in Sweden, which made this a pretty poignant gig. The band didn’t let that get to them however, and put on an impressive show to ensure their last outing on Swedish turf was a memorable one.
JESSY LANZA
Canadian Jessy Lanza’s music is a slightly odd beast, a mix of poppy melodies and whomping electronic beats. She was on fine form on Saturday night, breezing through her set and wrapping up with ‘Keep Moving’ to get the whole crowd, um, moving. It didn’t hurt her popularity when she remarked that Sweden reminded her of Canada but was ‘nicer’ too.
HUDSON MOHAWKE
The Scottish producer was probably the biggest name to pitch up at Sónar, and he lived up to expectations in style. Mohawke’s set at the Sonarclub stage was loud and aggressive, full of pounding beats and little slices of hip-hop (including a dash of Kanye West’s elusive The Life Of Pablo).
