Messed!Up
Swedish two-piece Kite at Logo in Hamburg – what’s wrong with that picture? Well, the last time I attended a Kite gig was at the Royal Opera in Stockholm, a sold-out gig that was broadcast on national TV. In fact, I’ve never seen Kite play in such a small venue as Logo, and with the rig – both light and gear – they usually have on stage, I was quite curious to see how they would make it fit. That’s another reason for heading off to my ninth Kite show, to see how the band would deal with the smallest stage I’ve ever seen them perform on. That and the fact that it was the first in Germany for me, and I was curious about how the German audience would receive them.
I’ve followed Kite ever since they released their first EP in 2008 and even watched some of their first gigs in Tranås way back in time. When the band formed in Sweden, Nicklas and Kitte already had quite a reputation in the indie scene after being band members of Yvonne, Strip Music, The Mo (love their “Night At the Zoo” album), Melody Club, and many more bands that all have made their marks on Swedish music history. However, Kite is something different. It’s mysterious, eerie, and at the same time beautiful. Six 4-5-track EPs plus a handful of singles into their career, they’ve created a reputation for their fantastic visual performances.
Shoebox-shaped Logo – one of my favorite hang-outs – was fairly full and although we’re in Hamburg, Germany, there were quite many Swedes onsite (Hamburg has a fairly large Swedish population due to strong trade relations with Sweden in the shipping industry), and as usual a fairly full Logo means you need to undress before the sauna-like heat sets in.
Kite’s live shows are sensory experiences and although Logo limits what’s possible to bring on stage they filled it up as much as possible with synthesizers and light rigs, thus creating enthralling visual elements during the show. Silhouetted by a dazzling light show and clouds of smoke machine fog (sometimes a bit too much), the gig kicked off with the rhapsodic ‘Remember Me’ followed by the heavy synth-layered song ‘Changing’, both off their 2020 discography. And then we’re off for a walk down history lane and songs of their first series of EPs, especially EP III to IV. ‘Dance Again’, the brilliant ‘Johnny Boy’, and ‘True Colors’ – with an interlude of the latest single ‘Glassy Eyes’ – capture the brilliance of the band. ‘Johnny Boy’ is probably where Nicklas can stretch his vocal range at the most.
Immersing Logo in flickering strobe lights and eerie neon lights creates that special Kite trademark I’m used to, and the band obviously have a strong fanbase in Germany as the people next to me proved by singing along the whole show (which is the reason I don’t have any video footage as it is ‘contaminated’ with not so good vocal performances). While Kitte stays in the dark, Nicklas is a stunning performer and has the unique type of voice you easily can identify whatever band he would play with which is not the case for most lead singers – more than often it’s just a blur.
Despite the set’s seemingly dark aesthetic – lots of flickering lights and occasional spotlights on Nicklas singing – the audience creates a vibrant atmosphere that grows stronger during the show. However, don’t confuse Kite for a band causing riots. Just like they proved at the Royal Opera in Sweden five years ago, it’s music you should embrace with feelings, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re seated or trying out those dance moves you practiced in front of the mirror earlier during the day. It’s a sensory experience rather than bashing around in a moshpit (I would be surprised if there ever was any at a Kite gig).
I may be a bit biased because I’ve never gotten disappointed after a Kite show. However, how about working on some stage banter, boys? Just something. Anything. And never leave without an encore, at least not in Germany!
But yet again: thanks for another joyous and unbounded performance that adds to what I already knew – Kite are Sweden’s hidden gem and deserves a lot more attention. Are you ready to support the band, Germany?
**********
Photos: Kevin Winiker
