Goldfrapp 1/4/2014

I was in two minds about taking in Goldfrapp again after seeing them a few years ago but front row balcony seats swayed me and I am glad I went. The gig was touring the new album which is perhaps more ethereal and moody than some of the older techno beat vibe and I enjoyed the sound for those tracks immensely. In particular the violinist (Ellie Stanford) was sweeping and full of feeling and the drumming (Seb Sternberg) beautifully precise. After half a dozen tracks from the new album the violin was increasingly swapped for a synthesizer, the lightshow went from a single white spot gradually to a pulsating vivid strobe and the tempo ratcheted up several notches. The change was however perfectly consistent with what went before and it worked very well as a show. By the end the audience was largely on its feet enjoying the older favourites. I noticed how close to Donna Summer, or should I say Giorgio Moroder the sound was on one or two tracks. Both bands were dance floor favourites at one time or another and even a non-dancer like me could feel the energy from the swooping vocals over the pulsating beat. I have to admit to a tiny tinge of disappointment that 'Ooh La La' wasn't included but respect to the band for not pandering to the audience. I take away in particular some superb drumming, but in general a well-crafted and enjoyable show.