First Aid Kit - 6/11/2018

It was back to the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena for this gig but a very different set up to the David Byrne gig ten days prior. Then we were fourth row from the stage in a seated auditorium and the sound and visuals were excellent. This time we were seated behind the standing majority, a long way from the stage and the stage was a blur and the sound pretty average. The Staves were the support and this trio delivered the impeccable sound of three perfectly harmonized voices. I would certainly see them again headlining in a smaller venue but it was a little difficult to fully appreciate them in this venue. First Aid Kit came on in glittery dresses and with a stage presence to match - a noticeable difference to the first time we saw them nearly four years ago. The band was a pedal steel guitarist (Melvin Duffy), a drummer and a keyboard player. Klara who handles the majority of the vocals also plays acoustic guitar and Johanna sings and plays bass. They played a number of tracks off the new album but not as many as you might expect, plus a selection from the previous albums and a cover that they sang with The Staves. That was my highlight of the show together with 'Emmylou' of course which is classic pop/country Swedish style. The encore was pretty high quality as well 'Rebel Heart' and 'Fireworks' off the new album (It's strange to hear the lyrics 'I saw the fireworks at your house last night' on November 6th) and then 'Silver Lining'. It was also strange to find neighbours of our just two seats away on the same row in such a large venue. Pluses from the gig - the harmonies of First Aid Kit and The Staves, Klara's fantastic voice, The minuses - another set that was too short (16 shortish songs is not enough), sound and seating not really good enough and the rock star stage presence that felt rather inappropriate for the songs. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/first-aid-kit/2018/motorpoint-arena-cardiff-wales-39649ff.html