First Aid Kit- Bradley Theater, Lakeland College, Plymouth, WI 11/21/14

Is there anything more beautiful in music than pitch-perfect vocal harmonies?    This question was posed to the capacity audience by the sisters from Stockholm, Sweden, Klara and Johanna Söderberg, better known as First Aid Kit, during their stunning performance at the Bradley Theater at Lakeland College.  

First Aid Kit has become quite the buzz band on the indie folk scene this year, following their exceptional release Stay Gold, which was released in June.  From a country known for more dance and electronic musical exports like Abba, Ace of Base, and more recently, The Knife, First Aid Kit has redefined the Swedish sound to an extent, rooting themselves in the Americana, country, and folk genres.  The band received considerable buzz from notable musicians, including collaborating with Connor Oberst of Bright Eyes fame, and also opening some shows for Jack White.  This stop on the Stay Gold Tour was perhaps the most unique. While the band is selling out mid-sized theaters across the country, this show saw them play the Bradley Theater, which holds a little more than 400 people at Lakeland College in Plymouth, WI, about an hour north of Milwaukee.  

The approachable and humble nature of the Söderberg sisters was ever present in their set.  Johanna recalled their day in Milwaukee, and gave a shout out to 88.9 Radio Milwaukee for featuring them in a studio performance earlier in the afternoon. Sister Klara also stated that this was their first time playing at a college.  

Accompanied by a virtuoso drummer and an exceptional multi-instrumentalist (who rotated between pedal steel, guitar and mandolin), the band opened with "The Lion's Roar," an energetic and passionate first  track off of First Aid Kit's 2012 album by the same name.  Other highlights included a chillingly intricate performance of "Ghost Town," which was sung by the two sisters without microphones or amplification.   "My Silver Lining," the band's breakthrough track off of Stay Gold, provided great energy as well.  Perhaps the highlight of the show, was the somewhat surprising track that followed their hit. First Aid Kit recalled meeting and touring with Jack White, and performed, "Love Interruption," magnificently, giving White's original a fresh and passionate take.  The show closed with the song "Wolf," a bonus track off of the band's 2012 record with each of the band members leaving the stage until the drummer finished off the show with an impressive staccato solo.  

First Aid Kit returned for an encore, performing"Waiter at the Station," a Willy Mason cover, whom First Aid Kit toured with previously.  For this number, opening act Samantha Crain, joined the band.  From there, the band played "Master Pretender," and closed the evening's music with a riveting take on "Emmylou," perhaps the band's biggest hit and a stand out number.

Speaking of Samantha Crain, her storytelling heavy set opened the show.  Crain's lyrics, like those of First Aid Kit, are very much the focal part of her music.  In her half hour set, she played a variety of  numbers from throughout her catalog, including, a highlight, "Devils in Boston," from 2009's Songs in the Night release.  Her vocals, like those of the Söderberg sisters were fantastic. 
To answer the musical question posed by the Söderberg sisters, "is there anything more beautiful in music than pitch-perfect vocal harmonies," for their hour and fifteen minute set, the answer, according to First Aid Kit is undeniably, "NO."

Setlist:
The Lion's Roar
Stay Gold
Blue
King of the World
In the Hearts of Men
Waitress Song
Shattered and Hollow
Ghost Town
My Silver Lining
Love Interrupted (Jack White cover)
Heaven Knows
Wolf

Encore:
Waiter at the Station (Willy Mason cover) with Samantha Crain
Master Pretender
Emmylou all photos courtesy of GigShots by Stephen Bloch.