Stereogum Does CMJ: The Cardigans @ Knitting Factory
After months of frantically ignoring CMJ schedules and timetables, our marathon commenced last night with the one show (aside from The Knife) we knew we'd hit. Because for all we knew, Nina Persson in NYC is an incredible and rare treat. As it turned out, it was mostly that; definitely incredible, absolutely a treat, but seeing as she's just moved to NYC (and bought her Halloween costume at "Little Ricky's"! aww, she's still learning), maybe not so rare after all. Which means very good things for those that missed last night's show.
We don't want this post just to be Nina Nina Nina, but who are we kidding -- she's amazing. "Do I look okay?" she asked the crowd shortly after taking the stage. It was a reference to Knitting Factory's lack of mirrors backstage ("not very girl friendly"), but it was funny hearing that line coming out of her mouth. Nina, you looked fine. Guys' and girls' jaws were dropped for the entire, stripped set. How not to be floored? She sounds even more incredible than she looks, and her banter was equally comedic, vulnerable, and sassy. (A note to sound dudes: when Nina wants less guitar, she means like now.) She was ably accompanied by Cardigans guitarist Peter Svenson, and between the two, the sound lacked nothing.
Nina promised songs from the last two albums -- Super Extra Gravity and Long Before Daylight -- which we love, though our hearts sank a little knowing we wouldn't hear "Lovefool" or "My Favourite Game." Not because those were among the band's biggest hits, but because we know how great they sound acoustic! They've been a popular accidental download on the P2Ps for years. (i.e., "This isn't the album version! It's ... cooler!"). Check 'em:
The Cardigans - "Lovefool (Acoustic)" (MP3)
The Cardigans - "My Favourite Game (Acoustic)" (MP3)
The night's big winner was "I Need Some Fine Wine..." which, for some reason, was not the US single. Nina went all out on the vocals to this one and really brought the Knit to its loudest applause of the night. It looked and sounded like this (YouTube). Anyone wanna make MP3 for us? Other gems on the night included "Communication" (less guitar, please!), "Don't Blame Your Daughter" (oh, misty eyes), and "And Then You Kissed Me" (which Nina deemed better than its Super Extra sequel).
So the two persson format was a new one for Nina, but it worked -- and worked well. The crowd shouted requests all night but were told they "weren't tuned" for those songs. Our encore was the first live performance (she claimed) of "Overload," a boozy waltz that is in fact meant to sound drunk. But it was a charming drunk, and a cute curtsy later, they were gone.
So anyway, yeah. She's pretty.
Posted at 2:13 PM in Concert, MP3, Video
Tags: CMJ | The Cardigans
"I don't care 'bout anything but youuuuu. I wonder what ever happened to those guys."
-Andy, The Office
Now we know.
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Dude, beautiful pics, but I hope your camera didn't have that sound that annoyed everybody during the show. Come on! It was an acoustic show! We went to listen real music and the click click click of those machines arruined the magic several times. Photographers, please some respect next time!
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Frente-licious!
Okay, kidding. But I do always dig that pretty, slow, soft vocals + acoustic gig (see also: Gilberto, Astrud).
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Frente-licious!
Okay, kidding. But I do always dig that pretty, slow, soft vocals + acoustic gig (see also: Gilberto, Astrud).
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Dude, beautiful pics, but I hope your camera didn't have that sound that annoyed everybody during the show. Come on! It was an acoustic show! We went to listen real music and the click click click of those machines arruined the magic several times. Photographers, please some respect next time!
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I didn't really read the whole post but that chic looks alot like kirstin dunst.
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Well, hello, Peter.
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I didn't really read the whole post but that chic looks alot like kirstin dunst.
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I didn't really read the whole post but that chic looks alot like kirstin dunst.
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SO EXCITED FOR THE KNIFE TONIGHT!
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SO EXCITED FOR THE KNIFE TONIGHT!
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SO EXCITED FOR THE KNIFE TONIGHT!
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The Cardigans = the best band in the world.
This gives me hope that at some point they will visit my town of Orlando, FL.
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I'm sure it's their second stop after their next NYC date, Nathan!
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Kirsten Dunst? A little. I was thinking Nina looked like Juliana Hatfield in these pics.
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Pic 2 made me think of fiona apple, or a hotter Juliette Lewis, but regardless she's beautiful, and the cardigans are a great band too, and one I should listen to more.
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I forgot how good the Cardigans are. What a brilliant acoustic version of lovefool.
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pic 1 & 5 : looks like kirsten dunst
pic 2 : looks like fiona apple
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she is very pretty in person too, and her accent is to die for.....she came to the fader house for an interview etc.....i will be holding it down here at the "delancey" for the week, say hello if you will
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Was such a great show. Nina sounded so perfect in person. Please keep us in the know now that she's here in NYC if she's gonna show up anywhere again!
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She look so pretty after all these years, it got me wondering is she morphing into a sweedish version of Julianna Hatfiled.
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She look so pretty after all these years, it got me wondering is she morphing into a sweedish version of Julianna Hatfiled.
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that was one of the best nights of my life. incredible set.
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