First Aid Kit kicks off the Summer Concerts at the NC Museum of Art
There is an entire world of music outside of the genres and bands that you typically listen to, and sometimes it is a little overwhelming to find new music because of it all. However, when you do find new music, it's like a weight lifted from your shoulders. You spend the following days binging their past releases and you go onto YouTube to find live videos to help take you back to the night you first learned about the music that swept you away, at least just for that night.
That was my experience last Friday night when the Swedish sister duo, First Aid Kit, kicked off the Summer Concert series at the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh NC.
I love attending concerts at this venue because the stage is nestled in the outdoor area of the art museum, with a backdrop of art installations throughout the art park. There is a very relaxed vibe, just like going to a free concert in a park with your family; bring a towel to sit in the grass and just enjoy the music.
The night started with an extremely talented British singer-songwriter by the name of Jade Bird. Her country-folk style is lead by her powerful voice that becomes raspy at times when she belts out the choruses of her songs. While some of her recorded music comes with drums and other backing instruments, Jade Bird was full acoustic for this show. The crowd really got into her performance when she played a flawless cover of Johnny Cash's "I've Been Everywhere".
So, it was a good start to the night; a very good start. This sold-out crowd waited patiently after Jade Bird's set. There were people laid out in the grass on towels and blankets, dedicated fans pressed up against the barrier in front of the stage, and some people even had hammocks set up between trees way at the top of the venue's 'lawn' area.
Shortly after the sun finally set and darkness had taken over the stage, sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg took their places in front of the cheering crowd to begin their collection of sad and happy folk-americana love songs. The two sisters harmonized so perfectly for their performance of songs like "Fireworks" and "Rebel Heart" off of their latest album Ruins. While the majority of their songs are sad songs about lost love and life in general, there was a drastic shift in tone when Klara began angrily belting out the words of their song "You Are The Problem Here". This song is not part of their new album but was released in 2017 for International Women's Day, and gained a lot of attention for its direct and vengeful tone.
"You are the problem here. . . and I hope you fucking suffer"
The crowd roared throughout the song in agreement with the subject of the song and after they finished play, Klara was visibly upset at the idea of it all. After a brief speech about the current state of how women are treated in this world, the sister's smiled and switched back into their less angry but still sad songs.
First Aid Kit is Klara (vocals/guitar) and Johanna Söderberg (vocals/bass guitar). Their live performance includes a backing band of keyboardist, drummer, and pedal steel guitar player.
