All That Glitters

Friday night, I went to the Danforth Music Hall for First Aid Kit. It has been almost two years since these Swedish sisters have played in Toronto. Last time, I thought they were good but there was a lack of fire in a lot of the songs. I was curious to hear music from the upcoming album: Staying Gold.

Their fame must be increasing because it was a packed house tonight. Almost half were already there for opening act Willy Mason. This singer alternated between two guitars throughout his set. Though he couldn't quiet the barflies in the back, most of the crowd was engaged with his mix of country-blues with hints of Gospel music. Songs like Pick Up Truck, Carry On, and Show Me The Way To Go Home had simple but interesting lyrics and arrangements.

Against a huge gold sheet, lit through with sparkling lights, First Aid Kit came out decked in flowy gold dresses. All they lacked were flowers in their hair for the complete hippie look. With a professional light engineer and also a sound tech (who was their Dad), it was a well-synched and evocative set with excellent sound. The reverent crowd loved favourites like Ghost Town (sung unamplified along with the audience), Lion's Roar and especially encore Emmy-Lou. But some new tunes also got enthusiastic reactions including The Waitress Song, Cedar Lane, and Silver Lining. Johanna and Klara only endeared themselves more when they revealed that they had wander through Kensington Market that day, though the latter sheepishly admitted they stopped off in a Swedish café (Fika).

I enjoyed the show but wasn't transported away like some of the people around me, especially the young women. Most songs were mid-tempo though there was some variety in drumming and steel pedal. Their covers of America (Simon and Garfunkel) and One More Cup of Coffee (Bob Dylan) highlighted their own callow lyrics. With Johanna playing the bass line on her Nord synth, it lacked the complexity and personality of a live bass player. This feeling of canned rhythm didn't give enough impetus to the music.