Fever Ray – Gobi Tent

And one of the most exclusive, surprising and sought after of Coachella’s “Holy crap!” performances this weekend alsp turned out to be its strangest. Yes the elusive and adored Fever Ray (Karin Dreijer Andersson) took a late-evening timeslot, ensconced almost entirely in shadows to the point that it took several minutes to discern which one was her. Her cohorts were decked out in costimes that could only be described as a cross between the darkest creations of Jim Henson’s creature shop and a post-modern minimalist improv troupe. With bleak surroundings (the group was lit only by small on stage lamps) and one member with a large black hat and wearing stilts making him look about 9-feet tall, this was not for the timid or cravenly pop. Fever Ray delved deep into the lush synthetic backdrops as she sang in nuanced sighs at key points.