“We’re so glad we were able to see Boston in the summer time”. Kings of Convenience, making good on a rescheduled February date, played to a sold out Paradise Rock Club Wednesday Night. And the heaviness, the warmth of the summer time air suited them, particularly the tunes on the duo’s latest 2009’s “Declaration of Dependence”.
KOC was met with a venue that was equal parts quiet (the bar, at the band’s request had been closed for the performance) and murmurous (the capacity audience hummed with anticipation for the show’s start). With a few thin guitar strums the set set into motion. The motion picture projector-like sound emanating from a rickety cooling fan some place deep in the Paradise’s recesses gave songs such as “Misread” and “Mrs. Cold” an almost cinematic quality. “24-25”, “Boat Behind” floated, drifted, just sort of hung in the sodden, sticky June air.The vocal/guitar melodies/harmonies of Eirik Glambek Bøe/Erlend Øye were fluid, each blending, breathing, with the other.
“We have always had this dream to do a World Tour of Cities that begin with the Letter B” remarked Eirik later into the set. “We’ll begin in our hometown of Bergen, Norway. Then Berlin, Barcelona.” “Buenos Aires”, someone shouted from the crowd, “Brasilia” yelled another, “Brisbane!” The band’s interactions with their public were easy.
Openers Franklin for Short joined the band for the show’s closing three numbers, including an all the way live version of “I’d Rather Dance with You”. Erlend moved, Paradise moved. Erlend clapped, Paradise clapped.
“Boston!”, “Yes, Boston. Of course, Boston.” retorted back Eirik. YES BOSTON! Erlend, Eirik, come back soon!
Kings of Convenience – Renegade Kings of Convenience – Misread