Cardigans / Eventim Apollo / London
In the midst of a sweltering heatwave, I risked bent rails and air-con free carriages on the East Coast mainline, heading to London for what promises to be a great night. Swedish rockers the Cardigans return to the UK for the first time since 2019 and are playing at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith. It’s crazy hot and with door early at 5pm, its nice to get out of the direct sun. As it happens, England just happen to be playing Ghana tonight in the World Cup, and as a result, the Cardigans are on at 19:10, so everyone can get to where they’re watching the match lol
But first, up on stage is an artist completely new to me – Swedish musician Esther. She released her debut single Follow Me Home in 2019, and her first EP “Better off Sleeping with a Parachute” in 2020. 2026 has seen the release of albums “The Mixed Feelings Mixtape” and “Fragmentality”.
A multi-instrumentalist, Esther (Lennstrand) learnt to play the piano, then the drums and vibraphone, studying percussion at music school.
Standing alone on the Apollo stage, in some ways Esther reminded me of Jo Quail, who with her electric cello, and pedals creates complex layers of electronic sounds. In Esthers case, she uses an electronic vibraphone controller, such as a MalletKat, to trigger synth sounds and percussion, alongside her laptop backing tracks.
The resultant effect is mesmerising, especially when you layer onto this, her angelic vocals. Wielding four mallets, she effortlessly creates some rich, genre-bending sounds. Bathed in spotlights and surrounded by swirling mist, visually the set is as impressive as it is sonically.
Mesmerising, there is a youthful shyness to her interactions with the audience that add to the experience alongside her fantastic vocals, reminiscent at times of singers such as Birdie and Hayley Ross.
A wonderful experience.
Setlist
Not available
Late summer 1998 saw one of the songs of the year released, with a video to match, propelling the Cardigans to a wide audience here in the UK. With snakeskin boots, black leather trousers and black vest, tattooed arm and bandages wrist, and a rock on the accelerator of her black 1974 Cadillac Eldorado convertible with red leather interior, Nina Persson heads off on a wild Thelma & Louise style cruise. Who didn’t want to jump into the passenger seat ?
The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in 1992. They released their debut album “Emmerdale” in 1994 brought them success in Sweden and Japan, then in 1996 they came ot the attention of a worldwide audience with the release of the single Lovefool from the album “First Band on the Moon” which was used in the soundtrack to the film “Romeo + Juliet”. Their UK success peaked with the release of “Gran Turismo” in 1998, and the singles My Favourite Game and Erase/Rewind.
Their latest album “Super Extra Gravit” was released in 2005. The Cardigans current line up consists of Lars-Olof Johansson (keyboards), Bengt Lagerberg (drums), Nina Persson (vocals), Magnus Sveningsson (bass) and Oskar Humlebo (guitar).
The mist rolled across the stage and the lights dimmed as the band took to the stage to huge applause. Moments later the audience erupted as Nina Persson stepped out to join them, dressed in a striking red and blue striped trouser suit, with scarf. They opened the set with Your New Cuckoo taken from 1996’s “First Band on the Moon” with it’s almost bosanova flavour. What struck me right from the off was the laid-back, relaxed performance. This was a band confident and enjoying the moment, at ease with the world and happy to share their greatest hits with a very eager London crowd..
Nina’s vocals are as wonderful today as ever. There’s almost something hypnotic about them, they’re mesmerising and the crowd sing along with all the hits.
The set has all the hits from across the years, and there’s a nice balance between the more upbeat rockier tracks such as Rise & Shine and the softer, quiet moments, such as on the brilliant And Then You Kissed Me from “Long Gone Before Daylight” released in 2003, which has a sad country ballad feel to it. That album delivers a real highlight in the set, in the form of You’re the Storm which starts soft and rises in tempo and power as it progresses.
The iconic intro to Lovefool (from “Long Gone Before Daylight”) brings cheers from the crowd and results in dancing in the stalls as the crowd sway and sing along to the iconic 90’s pop-rock chorus sections. Throughout the set, Nina moves around the stage gracefully and exudes an air of confidence, and a presence not many can match. Her lyrics just ooze out of the speaker.
Erase/Rewind from 1998’s “Gran Turismo” hits us with that epic Swedish rock sound, and illustrates whats so great about the Cardigans – the mix and different sounds / genres they embrace. The set is a journey through their influences. One of the highlights for me is their cover of the Talking Heads song Burning Down the House which they recorded with Tom Jones, which has the crowd rocking away.
The Apollo is starting to warm up now and as the set draws to a close the iconic guitar riff that welcomes in I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer fills the air, a right anthem of a track.
The set closes with the one of the most iconic song intros ever, a couple of muted Hammond chords give way to a screaming guitar as the mighty My Favourite Game screeches into life. It’s still an incredible track today, sweeping from mellow moments to chaotic rock riffs in an instant, all pulled together by Nina’s breathy vocals. Its high octane stuff, a right rollercoaster of a track set to blinding red and white spotlights.
And before you know it, its all over. The hall empties as everyone makes their way to their venue of choice to watch the football. For me personally ? I’d rather stay in here for another hour and a half with the Cardigans.
Stepping out into the colling early evening light is a strange experience, but I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Hopefully, there may be new material in the works, and a return to UK shores…… We can only hope !
Setlist
Your New Cuckoo
Sick & Tired
Rise And Shine
Travelling With Charley
And Then You Kissed Me
You're the Storm
Live and Learn
For What It's Worth
Communication
Iron Man (Black Sabbath cover)
Lovefool
Carnival
Feathers and Down
Paralyzed
Erase/Rewind
Burning Down the House (Talking Heads cover)
Hanging Around
I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer
My Favourite Game
Encore:
No Sleep
