Kings Of Convenience, Barbican, London - October 14th
“Who are you going to see tonight?” asked my friend. “Kings Of Convenience,” I replied. “Are they like Kings Of Leon?” she countered. “Erm… similar but different,” I smiled. In fact, the Kings Of Convenience are as far away as can be from their Californian semi-namesakes. Where the Followill brothers favour axe-grinding and gritty vocals, the Kings Of Convenience feast on lush, hushed harmonies and delicately seasonsed guitar melodies. All wispy hair and pastel-coloured cords, their brand of atmospheric folk-pop draws you into a jazz-influenced, sunshine-fuelled world where the smell of tanning lotion and fresh pineapple linger. This is what Simon & Garfunkel would have sounded like had they been drugged and born in 70s Oslo…
Despite the obvious enthusiasm and surrealism that Kings Eirik and Erlend brought to their show however, the crowd was strangely muted for the first half of it. This could have had something to do with the duo beginning with a block of songs taken from new album Declaration Of Independence, which is yet to be released here. KoC are known for their mellowness, but the new material is so laidback it’s almost dead. Some much-needed oomph and change in tempo came from older favourites like Stay Out Of Trouble, I’d Rather Dance With You and I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From. Old or new though, all of the songs showcased the pair’s lilting, lounging harmonies and the addition of a double-bass, piano and violin certainly perked the night up.
The hushed audience finally found their voice after being prompted to join in the refrain of Know-How, but only after the pair had stopped the song to give the crowd one more chance, declaring them the worst of the tour so far. “It’s a dark room and you’re surrounded by strangers - nobody cares if you sing out of tune!” encouraged Eirik. From then on it was a succession of comic turns from Erlend and cheeky smiles from his partner until they bowed out with a rip-roaring performance of new single Boat Behind, which had the now woken-up crowd dancing in the aisles - literally. By the second encore, the Kings’ magic dust was sparkling from every level of the hall.
“Are you having a good time?” Eirik asked five songs in - he received a few murmurs in return. “Not sure yet?” he smiled. One thing was certain though - the Kings Of Convenience were having a ball.
Kings Of Convenience’s new album Declaration Of Independence is out on October 18th.
Watch new single Boat Behind below…
Listen to Kings Of Convenience Radio on RealMusic
(Clare Lydon)
