Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2007 > September > 14 > Entry
ACL: Peter Bjorn and John
Sweden’s Peter Bjorn and John used their 3:30 p.m. Dell stage performance to prove that their infectious 2006 hit “Young Folks” was no fluke.
Using traditional rock elements and working the stage with the comfort of a band that has been on tour for two years straight — the band played 15-plus shows in Austin alone in March — vocalist/guitarist/harmonica player Peter Moren, vocalist/keyboardist/bassist Bjorn Yttling and drummer John Eriksson played the tightest afternoon set witnessed yet.
Even though there are multiple songs on their third album “Writer’s Block” that are just as strong and catchy, the thousands of shoe-tapping hipsters and families with chairs were all waiting to hear “that song with the cool whistling.” “Young Folks” finally appeared as an anchor midway through their set.
Two of Peter Bjorn and John’s tour mates — Melanie Draisey and Mark Keen of the London rock band the Clientele — came on stage to pump new life into the ubiquitous pop hit. Draisey sang the verse and chorus arguably better than Victoria Bergsman does on the original album version, while Keen’s quickstep bongo groove was a spot-on rendition of what could’ve proved to be a difficult task in the hands of a less proficient player.
“I was a little nervous,” said Draisey backstage after the show. “That was only the third time I’ve ever sang the song (with them).”
Nervous? Pppfff. Couldn’t tell.
(Look for the Clientele to perform their psychedelic rock at Emo’s tonight during one of the numerous post-ACL shows. And don’t be surprised if Peter Bjorn and John return the favor and join them).
(Photo by Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Follow Austin Music Source on Facebook and Twitter.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: ACL Festival
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.
By Peter K
September 16, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Did we see the same show?
My wife and I are Swedish and had really been looking forward to see a band from our home country play, in fact it’s why we bought tix for Friday.
Unfortunately, this was one of the worst shows I have ever seen, while they certainly tried to play hard, this singing was ridiculously flat and un-inspired.
Thankfully Pete Yorn, LCD Sound System & Kaiser Chiefs were great & definitely made it a great experience overall.
Ledsna pojkar men ni var inte bra…..
/Peter
By Phil
September 19, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
I have to agree with Peter K here. I was really looking forward to this show, but felt the performance was flat and uninspired. I’d like to see them again in a different setting, but this particular show did not capture the energy present in their records. ps. it was not a venue/sound issue either - this performance took place on (what I considered to be) the fest’s best-sounding stage (Gotan show was hot)…