Kimbra: The Eclectic Spectacle

Kimbra w/ Mikky Ekko
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
04.13.15

Clad in a body-print poncho, New Zealand’s own Kimbra Johnson crept onto the smoke covered stage at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre this week to the cheers of a frantic packed house. Opening with a dreamy cover of “I’m Wishing,” a track that first appeared in Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it immediately felt like the definition of a show. Ever true to her experimental eclecticism, Kimbra blasted from one track to the next with singular frenetic energy.

Backed by an all-male band dressed all in black, Kimbra shone like the visual and emotive star that she appears to be forming following the release of her second album The Golden Echo. By the time she arrived at the anthemic, R&B flavored “90s Music” her poncho was pulled back to reveal a mini-dress ensemble seemingly comprised of metallic silver shards, with unreal silver platform boots that didn’t slow her from stomping all over the stage, her face and body contorting with quick, almost feverish intensity.

While Kimbra may be all over the place in her musical stylings – mashing disco, synth, R&B, soul, and more into an electro-pop melting pot of madness – it’s hard to deny she’s got something there. In a world full of cookie-cutter pop stars, she pushes us around in uncomfortable ways, walking the line just this side of crazy. Plus, the girl can seriously belt. Whether or not you know or love her, Kimbra puts on a show worthy of the label.

That hair, that falsetto, those vocal gymnastics. Opening up the night on his third trip to Seattle in the last five months was the incomparable Mikky Ekko. This is a guy working for every fan that he’s got. Ekko opened the set with the powerful “Watch Me Rise,” and those who weren’t in the know about this voice were immediately paying attention. Each note finds him pushing himself to a limit leaving you blown away by the pure power of his unique voice. Sure, everyone sang along with “Stay” but there are more gems in this guys back pocket than you might expect.

Take “Time” for instance, off his debut full-length of the same name: Ekko backed by a sole acoustic guitar that perfectly complements the plaintive lyrics and emotional reaching of his standout voice. And tracks like “Pull Me Down” or “Love You Crazy” during which both he and his solid band leave it all on the stage. Take some time to get to know this guy, as I’m sure we’ll be hearing plenty more from him in the future.

Kimbra Set List
I’m Wishing
Nobody But You
90s Music
Teen Heat
Carolina
Settle Down
Something in the Way You Are
Madhouse
Two Way Street
Rescue Him (for as weird as she is the girl can belt)
Gold Mine
Cameo Lover
Love in High Places
Miracle
Encore
Waltz Me to the Grave
Come Into My Head