The Sounds
Neumos in Seattle, WA
03.19.14
Review by Logan Westom
They might not be living in America but that does not mean it’s going to stop The Sounds from touring North America with some of the best 90’s Swedish synth pop-rock you have ever heard. A recent stop in America’s Emerald City of Seattle Washington, at a small grungy little venue called Neumos, a perfect atmosphere was made for feisty lead singer Maja Ivarsson. Full of attitude and personality it wasn’t a show with a boring front-women who just stood frozen the whole show moving her lips. Instead she was active all over the stage. Kicking and smashing mic stands, jumping into the crowd and joining the party off the stage, and making everyone in the front row clap their hands even it means she had to clap their hands for them (see the photos below).
The gritty nature of Neumos complimented the gritty nature of the set The Sounds produced. With fog so think you could hardly see your hand in front of your face, cigarette smoke from the stage, and punk-rock performance by The Sounds it felt like a dark ally scene. This worked 100% in The Sounds favor as they ripped apart their set as Ivarsson went through 5 different microphones. When a girls sings that good and is rocking so hard that she breaks 5 different microphones you know it was a good show!
With the release of their fifth full length record in fall of 2013 there was a slew of songs to pick from for the set list. With a mix of old classics like Living in America to Seven Days a Week, instant hits like Tony The Beat and Painted By Numbers, there was still space for a ton of new material like Shake Shake Shake and Take It The Wrong Way. Full set list from the Seattle show below.
The night would not be over or have any feeling of an extraordinary ending without one last over the top crazy stunt from Ivarrson. And she gave the crowd just that, literally by giving herself to the crowd. Diving with her back to the crowd Ivarrson crowd surfed on top of the screaming fans for a moment before being falling through on the weak arms of the exhausted crowd. It was surely an exit to remember!
Opening act Blondfire was sure a sight for my eyes. The beautiful front women Erica Driscoll resembled the softer, younger, and less aggressive version of The Sounds singer Ivarrson, but still had a voice that packed a punch. Accompanied by sibling Bruce Driscoll on guitar, Blondfire was an opener that as soon as you hear the first 30 seconds you yell out to the person next to you “You were right, their soooo good!!!”. (which is what I did). Then went I home and downloaded their album instantly.
Set List
No One Sleeps When I’m Awake
Song with a Mission
Seven Days a Week
Shake Shake Shake
Something to Die For
The Best of Me
Dorchester Hotel
Painted by Numbers
Wish You Were Here
4 songs and a Fight
Emperor
Take it The Wrong Way
Living in America
Outlaw
Ego
Encore
Tony the Beat
Hope You’re Happy Now
Photos By Logan Westom
Blondfire
