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I’m From Barcelona
2008-10-30 Sala Apolo If already accustomed to their light, fluffy recorded output, you might not be prepared for quite how powerful a force Swedes I’m From Barcelona are on stage. Of course, when you get sixteen talented musicians, including at least seven singers, working together in front of an audience it’s always going to lead to fireworks. However, when they come dressed like a rather creepy, turn of the century travelling circus act and also jump up and down a lot, crowd surf and get the audience to help out on vocal duties, you’re suddenly in a totally different realm. Despite its school choir like sound, the force of the chorus section of six singers, contrasting with the softer lead of Emanuel Lundgren’s voice, is immense and immediately lends the band a greater self assuredness than their typical twee profile might suggest. For me it was a similar experience to watching Arcade Fire, with sheer numbers dictating the impression that they are a band who know exactly what they want to achieve. The first time playing in Spain since the release of second album “Who Killed Harry Houdini?” and a homecoming of sorts, as Lundgren points out, they still have to win over existing fans with their new material. A trio of new tracks get the evening started and whilst the subject matter may have changed, on songs like “Britney” and “Houdini” the short, perfect pop moments that they craft are still intact. The new songs are darker, on lead single “Paper Planes” we still get the childhood nostalgia of “Treehouse” but this time Lundgren is “Throwing paper planes/To clear my head” and not just out of the sheer joy he once offered to us. Such preoccupations have yet to manifest themselves in the live arena however, and before long the ebullient crowd get what they’re after as the band confirm, with their trademark horns and handclaps, that “Barcelona Loves You,” a sentiment which was never going to fall on deaf ears here at the Apolo. Then moments later the party starts in full with giant red balloons bouncing across the crowd, storms of ticker tape and as much jumping about as the stage will take. First album favourites mix in with poppier new tracks and there is a true look of adoration, of all out worship as all this is reflected in the joyous eyes of the satiated crowd. So even if the encore comes too soon and only lasts for three tracks, it is the perfect précis of their career. One classic, “Treehouse,” one new track and one storming lesser known song, “The Painter” from their first ever EP, an instantly singalongable joy with seemingly every person in the room begging one another in full voice “don't give on your dreams, boy, don't give up on your dreams, now, buddy.” It would be easy to dismiss I’m From Barcelona as a novelty act with little to offer after their first, well loved, LP. And whilst it’s true their darker sophomore album was inevitably “difficult” and not quite the cheer fest of their debut, the band have stayed the course and continue to create music that’s interesting, uplifting and most importantly fun. Live they are the perfect concert going experience, offering total immersion in their optimistic and infectious sound.