Short, sweet and full of energy - Music - Arts - Evening Standard
       

Short, sweet and full of energy

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When Ida Maria and her band took a bow at the end of this short set, they looked as if they’d just finished a world tour of stadiums. Hair drenched with water, top hat long since disappeared, tiptoeing among the microphone stands she had just hurled to the floor, the singer proved she had the rare performer’s ability to turn every night into the gig of her life.

Hailing from rural northern Norway but based just outside Stockholm, Maria has the Swedish way with a tune but also a darker side that must stem from her homeland. Selections from her forthcoming debut album such as Oh My God and Better When You’re Naked coupled punky guitars with a pop bounce, and her voice resembled Björk’s in its heavily emphasised intonations. It also had a pleasing rasp when she let rip, which was often.

After every song she looked drained, and it was almost as exhausting to watch her. Clinging to her hat for dear life, she twirled and cackled and rolled on the floor. She can command audiences far bigger than this one. Exhilarating tracks Louie and Morning Light should be the future hits to take her there.

Ida Maria, Nick Harrison, The Lost Brothers
Barfly, NW1

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