Dance and Theatre – Little Dragon at Royal Albert Hall

Written and Captured By | Morris Shamah

Swedish dance band Little Dragon played London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday, bringing with them special guests April + Vista and Porij.

Porij were up first, a four-piece live-dance-music outfit from Manchester, England. Their groovy half-hour set, which was mostly made up of soon-to-be-released new tracks, was fun and upbeat, everything you’d want from an opening act for the headlining Swedish dance group. Frontperson Eggy danced around the stage, quickly winning over the sure-to-be intimidating hall with their smooth buttery vocals which soared over the band’s loops and layers and live drums.

See more photos of Porij HERE

Following them was April+ Vista, from Washington, DC, who took the crowd through a slow, sexy, mystical journey. Their set flowed effortlessly, like a sleep meditation come to life, through keys and bass and loops and grooves. Deep calming tones and bright jingles bellowed throughout the hallowed all, a soundtrack to a dark fantasy.

See more photos of April+Vista HERE

Little Dragon came onstage slowly, one by one to a synthy groovy intro, a theatrical entrance designed to highlight lead singer Yukimi Nagano, who emerged in a sheer, neon coloured veil, prancing about to opening song “Amöban” like an animated villain under the big bright illumated moon that served as the stage backdrop. “Amöban,” off of July’s Slugs of Love album, was one of 4 tracks from played their newest record. All four were played in the first 5 songs, and as the set progressed, the tracks veered more towards the dance and rave style the foursome is known for. What started as a theatrical affair, one to see and take in, ended as a full-on dance party, something to experience through movement and self-release.

See more photos of Little Dragon HERE

Before the set fully turned, however, Little Dragon brought out April + Vista for a duet on “Slumber,” which the American duo recorded and released with the Swedish band on the Slipping Into Color EP earlier this year. A true duet, with Vista and April prominently featured, the guest spot was a mid-set highlight amongst the theatrical portion of the evening.

Throughout the night, all four members of Little Dragon traded instruments and roles, and Yukimi’s truly massive vocals echoed throughout the room, backed by the impressive musical force of her bandmates. By the end of the set, as the foursome turned their spectacle into a dance party, the entire crowd was on their feet, dancing along to “Lover Chanting” and “Wildfire.” The encore break was filled with a thundering, booming, foot stamping applause. For the four-song encore, Little Dragon turned to hits such as “Twice,” “Another Lover,” and a medley of “Summertearz,” “Feather,” and “Constant Surprises.” One got the sense that the crowd could have easily enjoyed an entire second set of their more well known higher-energy tracks. Alas, it was not to be, and the show – as well as Little Dragon’s Slugs of Love tour – ended with a raucous sing along to “Ritual Union.”

 

Photos By | Morris Shamah