Grammy-nominated Swedish electronic band Little Dragon came back to Pappy and Harriet’s on March 2—and two hours before the show, fans were already crowding the stage.
Barriers were set up in front of that stage, because Little Dragon fans get a little crazy—in a good way, dancing as if injected with frontwoman Yukimi Nagano’s personality.
Nagano welcomed her fans by saying, “How are you? Good to be back in the desert.” Her offbeat signature moves were full of vigor as she stepped across the stage—displaying a vitality that was free and unrestrained.
A few songs into the set, Nagano thanked the crowd: “Thank you! Guys, you feel good. Make some noise!” Her request was rewarded by a roar from the audience.
She introduced her melody “Ritual Union” by stating: “This next song is not a love song. The lyrics would enthuse Morrissey: “Love’s sinking in the sand, petals falling on demand, my feet are running like the wind; I’m sorry, boy that we sinned. Love is not like, they say, a lie, that it’s hard to make it stay. I drown my feelings in the sea; I dried out over on the beach.”
Heavy bass lines shivered the adobe walls of Pappy’s as songs transitioned from suave to fast, featuring tunes from the band’s diverse album catalog. Their set list included “High,” “Pretty Girls,” “Strobe Light” and “Crystalfilm.”
Little Dragon’s encore included the song “Sweet,” as well as a light show that was candy for the senses in all forms and hues. As the lights showered fans, Nagano waived her drumstick magically, like a Scandinavian fairy.
“We are Little Dragon, feeling love. Thank you so much,” she said in conclusion.
