Miike Snow

Stylus 08/02/10

By Dan Lester

Having undertaken production duties for artists from Kylie Minogue to Kelis and securing a grammy for work on Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ along the way, it’s not surprising how confident and exciting a show Miike Snow puts on.

Accompanied by the best light show to grace Stylus in a while, the trio of black jacketed synth players certainly look the part, whilst the tunes themselves are brilliant. ‘Plastic Jungle’ sounds like a throbbing space age club rework of Goldfrapp’s ‘Ooh La La’, whilst ‘Animal’ is pop at its addictive best, and getting punters shaking.

Most impressive about the Swedes’ set is their linking and reworking of tracks for their live show. Whilst the band could have simply ripped through the infectious pop songs of their debut album, they instead work in build ups, drops, and riotous climaxes in a manner that would do Simian Mobile Disco proud. ‘Black and Blue’, a sedate affair on record, is sent to dancefloor-happy heights, whilst the return of the riff in ‘Animal’ is a climactic set highlight.

They do flirt with self-indulgence, however,   closing the set with a ten minute edition of ‘In Search Of’ which builds and builds in a stunning cacophony of whirls and crashing drums, but the track peters out and the band stroll off the stage leaving the audience stood with the awkward and confused ‘is-it-over?’ feeling, until the house lights come on.

The set is a hybrid of ballsy instrumental sections and lighter, pop choruses. The Swede’s work the two together well, and despite variation in quality and content, it’s packed with moments so massive that it’s hard to be anything but impressed. - (7)