With a stark interior and bad acoustics, I think the Showbox Sodo is better suited for a hoedown and square dance than a live show. So I have to really like a band to go hear them at this venue. I really, really dig Ladytron. The crowd that was getting douched by the rain while standing in the ticket line must really like them too. I was as soggy as an unfinished bowl of cereal by the time I got inside.
Being an all-ages show (don’t want the kids staying out too late and worrying mommy and daddy) the music kicked off early which didn’t give the crowd much time to warm up. When the band synthed things off with “Black Cat,” those near the stage began swaying while others closer to the bar focused on their cocktails. Meanwhile, I was being sucked in by the red and white flashes that blinked mesmerizingly like airport runway lighting. With each flash I became more entranced as the lights called to me “Lady . . . . tron . . . Lady . . . . tron.” God love electropop bands and their light shows.
Because of the lighting effects, most of the group was left in silhouette giving the girls time to shine. Hey, the band is called Ladytron after all. They followed up the opener with a few singles like “Runaway” and “Ghosts,” where Helen and Mira worked their android-like song delivery to perfectly compliment the cold detachment of the backing beats. It’s really no surprise that a group whose members represent industrial England and a former Soviet republic have mastered such an automated analogue sound.
Helen’s voice was strong above the driving bass, if only with a little less of its usual lovely pixie airiness, but Mira’s vocals were harder to distinguish and her Bulgarian lyrics sounded like just a mushed up version of English. On “Soft Power,” lines like “We’re not sleeping at the wheel. The wheel is turning the machine that kills. For us,” sounded so sweet coming from Helen’s cute mouth. She’s like Jane Wiedlin but with more fang.
By the time they climaxed with an extended version of “Seventeen,” most of the crowd was dancing and arms were raised, stabbing the air with the signature electronica hand jab. Then Ladytron took us on a soft downward ride with fantastic versions of “Sugar” and “Tomorrow.” The only time they disappointed was during the encore. After killing it on “Destroy Everything You Touch,” they left the stage leaving us all wanting more. Hey, what about “Blue Jeans”?
Yes, the set showcased songs from the last two albums, Velocifero and Witching Hour, but there was also a satisfying smattering of stuff from the early days. Who knows what we’ll get on the next tour now Ladytron is blowing up and working with the likes of Christina Aguilera. Maybe they’ll do a totally awesome remake of “Genie in a Bottle!”
As the crowd spilled out onto the sidewalk after the show, I heard someone say the performance was lackluster and the band needed to interact more with the audience. Straight up Seattle, you gotta shake it to make it. It seems hipsters are too cool to dance. Or maybe the skinny jeans are a little too restrictive. Whatever the excuse, if you stand immobile, arms crossed, looking like you’re waiting to be entertained, why would the band go the extra mile for your lame ass? Get into it already. Let’s make concert-going a give and take relationship.
