Verdict’s in on Swedish bands: Euro-so good

MIIKE SNOW/NIKI AND THE DOVE, HMV Ritz, Manchester
WHILE the UK music charts fade and fizzle under the curse of bland generic pop, one place to look for inspiration is Europe — in particular Sweden.

Forget cheesy Eurovision entries, last night belonged to the Swedes as both radiant pop kings Miike Snow and new kids on the block Niki and the Dove teamed up to create a force to be reckoned with at Manchester’s HMV Ritz.

Niki and the Dove frontwoman Malin strikes just the right chord between Kate Bush and Bjork to create a quirky rave heroin far beyond the imagination of any star from these shores.

She rattles through stand-out hits from their debut album “Instinct”, including pulsing track “The Drummer”, brooding and building “DJ Ease My Mind” and the powerful “Tomorrow”.

Every note is pitch perfect and the all-encompassing synth sounds are crying out for a bigger stage.

Then it’s the turn of the boys from Miike Snow, who recently unleashed their second album “Happy To You”.

The band takes to the stage in their trademark gold masks and black hoodies — although the sweltering heat of the packed venue soon sees them abandon their uniform.

Tracks from the new album kick off the show, sounding fresh and frantic as the foursome mount a giant specially-made booth in the centre of the stage.

Surrounding by blinking lights and appearing through a cloud of smoke, it’s almost as if unearthly beings have made their arrival into Manchester.

What’s astonishing is the sheer sound that can be pumped out by four men and their machines. Synths and pianos are pounded to dazzling effect while the marching band rattle of “The Wave” is played out on a drum machine. Even the twangy charm of the guitar is created on a machine.

But for all the cold methods, there’s a warmth to the music that the crowd laps up.

The setlist is packed with clap-along moments with new single “Paddling Out” and album cut “Devil’s Work” reaching euphoric crescendos.

The team reassemble for an encore of their breakthrough hit “Animal” — and it’s a monster.

Taking on a grittier edge with a throbbing bassline it’s extended to an all-out Nineties dance number.

The crowd leave satisfied, if a little sweaty, and Miike Snow can rest safe in the knowledge that they are just a handful of artists bringing something fresh to the table and keeping dance music alive.


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