Goldfrapp: Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory
High, operatic belts. Low, sultry chants. Retro, dreamy-sounding keys and synths. And of course, glitter and shimmer. Lots of it.
Those were just a few of the tell-tale signs that Goldfrapp’s show on June 27, 2010, at the Hollywood Bowl was going to be unforgettable. Headlining that week’s installment of radio station KCRW’s World Festival 2010 concert series, the electro-pop duo from London was supported by 13-member Cuban ensemble Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club (including singer Omara Portuondo) and the very-experimental breakout female artist tUnE-yArDs. Not exactly the lineup I’d choose for a Goldfrapp show, but the performers certainly captured the essence and celebration of world music.
Opening with an early fan favorite, “Utopia,” Goldfrapp threw the crowd into a trance. The group opted for a simpler stage setup this time around, leaving home the oversized jester outfit and animal heads on beautiful, half-dressed women that we’ve seen on past tours. Singer Alison Goldfrapp ruled a mostly bare stage in a short dress covered in glistening gold tabs with two huge industrial fans blowing her blonde locks dramatically. Goldfrapp’s partner in crime, Will Gregory, and the rest of the band kept up with her sharp, high-drama performance—as well as the spacey theme. The entire band sported matching shiny, metallic silver tights.
“Head First,” Goldfrapp’s fifth release, came out March 23, 2010.
The show gradually built up in energy, with songs like “You Never Know,” “Dreaming” and “Number 1” leading off the night. The show really peaked with final numbers “Train,” “Ride a White Horse” and “Ooh La La.” You could tell Ms. Goldfrapp was deep in her element by this time.
The set primary consisted of songs from the new album, “Head First,” and 2006’s “Supernature.” No songs from their last album, “Seventh Tree,” were played. It sort of makes sense, though, because next to the rest of their electric-disco catalog of records, the mellow and folky 2008 release stands out like a sore thumb.
The entire Goldfrapp show only contained 13 songs, including the encore, which I didn’t even realize was the encore until the show ended two songs after Goldfrapp’s costume change into a black sparkly bodysuit with a long-haired white, pink and red jacket. The encore started off with the new record’s hit “Rocket.” I’m pretty sure everyone in the house was singing along in perfect unison when Goldfrapp sang the oh-so-catchy chorus: “Oh–oh-oh, I got a rocket, oh-oh-oh, you’re going on it, oh-oh-oh, you’re never coming back.” The closing number, “Strict Machine,” the buzzing and ultra-electric song from the 2003 release “Black Cherry,” sent the crowd off with an extended instrumental intro and an operatic closing note.
Goldfrapp is currently touring the world through November 2010.
As the house lights came up, I realized it was only 10:21 p.m., nine minutes shy of the Hollywood Bowl’s 10:30 p.m. Sunday curfew. As a longtime fan of Goldfrapp, this show was amazing as always, but more of a tease. I hope to see Goldfrapp return to the Los Angeles area soon—minus the mobs of pretentious Hollywood Bowl subscribers blocking the views of energetic fans.
