Review: Little Dragon at Nextdoor

Little Dragon performs at Nextdoor on Saturday, Sept. 10. Pictured is lead singer Yukimi Nagano. (Photo by Aaron Yoshino, Special to the Star-Advertiser)

REVIEW BY GARY CHUN / gchun@staradvertiser.com

This is a feeling of elation that won’t soon go away.

It’s about a quarter past 2 late Saturday night/early Sunday morning and I’ve just witnessed one of the best concerts in recent memory.

There was talk that the Swedish indie dance band Little Dragon really prove themselves in a live setting, and after its show at Nextdoor downtown, I’m here to wholeheartedly agree. The music is absolutely revelatory in its full-fledged bloom when sung/danced and played by Yukimi Nagano, electronic keyboardists Hakan Wirenstrand and Fredrik Wallin (also  on occasional bass) and the incredible Erik Bodin on drums and electronic percussion pads.

The band hit its collective groove from the start and never let it go. Its command of disco, funk and pop was amazing to the ear and liberating to the body. The guys added brilliant touches of synth and rhythm piano, with Bodin an absolute monster behind his kit. The phrase “in the pocket” would be well exemplified by Bodin, a smooth and precise player.

But it’s Nagano who brings Little Dragon to life. She moves the music with no wasted gestures like an interpretive dancer, whether she strikes thoughtful poses or dances with a focused purpose.. With a small hoop tambourine in hand and dressed in a tight stage outfit with fringe going down her pants, she, at times, looked like a Native American or Eskimo folk dancer, except moving to terrific grooves. Plus she plays a mean cowbell!

Kudos to Nextdoor for helping the band realize the best sound possible. Little Dragon was perfect in a club setting, breaking off at least three times during its generous set to extend rhythmic sections of songs that mutated into something wonderful. One song in particular, “Brush the Heat,” veered off into territory that a 1970s Miles Davis would’ve approved.

The band seemed appreciative that the rapt audience allowed them to extend an already well-rehearsed set. It was surprising there was little spontaneous dancing, considering what grooves Little Dragon was laying down. That spell was broken at bit during the encore, when Nagano left the stage to dance amongst the audience. All night, she was an tremendous bundle of energy, blessed with a wonderfully espressive and soulful voice. She has great stage presence. And when the evening slowed down with a gorgeous rendition of “Seconds” from the band’s latest and best album to date, “Ritual Union,” both band and audience was totally spent, but in a very good way.

Bottom line, Little Dragon is a beast. The band wants to come back to play in Hawaii. They should be accommodated as soon as possible.