While death metal and indie rock have both gained a strong following among its people, Sweden is primarily on the music map for its pop stars. From mega-super pop stars on crack ABBA to Top Gun-soundtrack-spawn Roxette to alternative-bubble-gum-popsters The Cardigans, Sweden has produced massively and internationally successful pop acts. Now, Peter Bjorn and John carry on the tradition with stylish yet awkward indie pop that translates brilliantly in their live show. Currently on tour to support their recent release Writer’s Block, Peter Bjorn and John stopped in at Bimbo’s 365 Club in North Beach with happy beat-thing makers Fujiya & Miyagi lending able support.
I love Bimbo’s. Its swanky surroundings always make me feel like I’m at a particularly special show, and the rest of the crowd seems to share that sentiment. Despite the fact that it was a drab Wednesday evening, there was an excellent showing by the time opener Fujiya & Miyagi took the stage. My pre-show exposure to them had been limited to a couple of singles off their new album Transparent Things but I suspect there were audience members who had turned out specifically to see them. Bringing a rich and slightly more improvised sound to their live show, Fujiya & Miyagi boasts chill beats and breathy, rhythmic vocals with deliciously rolled Rs. For their forty-minute-plus set, they brought it — it being the infinite groove — a quality very few bands possess. And they brought it in spades. By the end of their set, the house was packed and primed for Peter Bjorn and John.
Peter Bjorn and John live turned out to be a whole different beast from what I was expecting. While the sensitive indie pop angle played up in their studio work (especially on their most recent release Writer’s Block) was certainly part of their live sound, it was complemented by a level of rocking out I was simply not expecting. I also hadn’t anticipated that there would be the sounds of female screaming reminiscent of early Beatles shows punctuating the set. Throughout the evening, the gorgeous two-person vocal harmonies that distinguish their sound were showcased in somewhat reworked versions of their songs. One minor disappointment was hearing “Young Folks” without Victoria Bergsman’s vocals. On the other hand, this song and several others did feature guest percussion from the best bongo playing band manager in Stockholm (I have this on good authority). By the end of the evening, the trio’s argyle sweaters and dress shirts were soaked in sweat, and the demanding crowd was satiated.
Both of these acts feel like they’re at the top of their game right now and make a particularly good showing in their live performances. I expect both to be regular fixtures on the festival scene in the next few years, so if either does make a reappearance in the Bay Area soon, I encourage you to check them out. In the meantime, content yourself with 2006 releases Writer’s Block and Transparent Things.
