Efterklang
The Barbican, London
28/10/2009

Scandinavian oddball pop has been so prevalent in recent years that, well, it’s the norm these days. Efterklang, several albums in and on a clear trajectory that’s seen them progress from über-cool indie The Leaf Label to still-cool-but-bigger indie 4AD, still screw with the program and make little sense, but they do whatever it is they do immaculately.

Five years ago their live performances lacked the magical qualities of their recorded work, but they’ve stepped it up several levels to the stage that they’re on the verge of crossover, a la Grizzly Bear (whose first album came out on Efterklang’s Rumraket label, fact fans). The addition of the genuinely incredible Peter Broderick to their ranks is surely a key factor, but where they were once a touch flaccid they’re now dynamic and uplifting – as recently showcased with their festival-stealing set at End Of The Road.

Tonight we get the UK version of the newly-released ‘Performing Parades’ CD/DVD set, with the Britten Sinfonia stepping in where the Danish National Chamber Orchestra provide the extravagant flourishes on the recorded version. Where Efterklang are an acquired taste is their wilful ignorance of standard song structure, but it’s an approach where familiarity breeds adoration and patience pays dividends for the attentive listener. When the expanded band, numbering perhaps 40 players, climax it’s quite breathtaking, and this is a show that demands the overblown pomposity of the arrangements rather than it being a Spiritualized-style bloated indulgence.

A packed Barbican is a perfect fit, and the audience seem as overwhelmed as the band are by the whole experience. While they won’t be dragging an orchestra around Europe on a lorry with them on every tour, Efterklang have illustrated their ability to encapsulate the atmosphere they generate, and if their first album for 4AD in early 2010 manages to capture the magic they could well be the next unlikely success story.
 
Andy Slocombe