Synth Sounds and Sweat: Sold-Out Miike Snow Show at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn

When I first searched for Miike Snow tickets several months ago, all three of their New York City performances in late March were sold out. Sure I was disappointed but it didn’t seem reasonable to pay at least a hundred for auctioned tickets, compared to the general admission price of twenty-six dollars including tax. Miike Snow is a synth-pop trio known for its catchy, melodic tunes. Not necessarily easy listening, but a laidback fusion of poetic lyricism and pulsating electro beats to swing and sway until your knees weaken. I couldn’t hide my envy when I overheard two hipsters gloated about purchasing tickets for the March 26th show at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, weeks before I googled Miike Snow’s Myspace page. But alas an indie miracle- a friend had an extra ticket. On the day of the show, her roommate decided the weather was too dreadful for an excursion from the Bronx to Brooklyn. She didn’t know the worth of a Miike Snow ticket or appreciate the band’s endorphin-inducing music.

The opening band, similar to the genre of Miike Snow, Delorean primed the energetic crowd for the main act. As soon as the masked trio started with “Burial,” a release of sweaty wildness enraptured the venue. Their undeniable performance charisma proved they were even better live. The transitions of the one-hour long set kept the chaos from reaching an injurious level, switching between slower paced tracks and up-tempo dance music seamlessly. Unfortunately, I suffered a liberal splashing of Red Bull and vodka in my right eye during “Animal,” the band’s most popular song from their self-titled debut album released in October 2009.

Against the backdrop of a rabbit with antlers, the band’s logo, the neon bright lights added to the charged atmosphere. Some bands like to talk to crowds, check up on how they’re doing, throwing in a “how’s everyone doing tonight” in between songs. Miike Snow veered towards an understated approach. Andrew Wyatt, the frontman performed with a quiet confidence full of intense head banging. Throughout the show he switched between piano and guitar, proving his instrumental mastery.

Although Miike Snow is not a part of the mainstream music scene, they have produced and written songs for Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Madonna and Kelis. Also, their tracks, “Plastic Jungle” and “Animal” have been played on episodes of Gossip Girl. There’s no doubt, Miike Snow’s fan base will grow, perhaps exponentially, considering a majority of their tour dates in the U.S. are already sold out. One concert goer, said, “Their music is like packets of sunlight, warming you up.” Miike Snow is simply feel-good music with bittersweet undertones for the hopeless romantic. Everyone sang along to “Animal,” tenaciously chanting “There was a time when my world was filled up with darkness/ Then I stopped dreaming now/ I’m supposed to fill it up with something/ In your eyes I see the eyes of somebody/ I knew before, long ago/ But I’m still trying to make up my mind/ Am I free or am tied up?”