Lykke Li is a Sweedish born 23 year old female who released her first record “Youth Novels” in 2008, which was produced by Bjorn Yittling of Peter Bjorn and John. She is hailed by the uber cool scenester/hipster crowd, and for good reason. Her album is solid and original, with upbeat dance tracks and some slower melodies, however the live show blew the album out of the water. Aside from Lykke Li there is a keyboardist, drummer & guitar player, but they use several different drums & precussion instruments and even a megaphone to make a pounding somewhat tribal dance atmosphere that got everyone in the audience moving. It is such an attribute to an artist when they’re live show is better than their recording.

Lykke Li had just played Coachella on Sunday, but showed no signs of exhaustion. She was energetic, funky, and edgy, dancing all over the stage. Her songwriting talent is very impressive and she played such songs as “A little bit,” and “Complaint Department,” “Let it Fall,” and “Breaking It Up,” all of which were incredible. Towards the end of her set she covered Kings of Leon’s “Knocked Up” and it was brilliant. She kept tell the crowd she was “gonna have a puppy,” and that life is not easy. The sound of her voice is so unique, that it almost has a mysterious quality to it, however she is an amazing rapper too—and not just cute little white girl trying to rap sort of way. Her live performance was like one sweet DJ set with rap interludes that were off the hook.

For her encore she began with an a cappella version of “Tears of a Clown,” and said “Don’t you guys know this song?” making everyone join in. She also covered “Can I kick it” by Tribe Called Quest, with everyone singing back “Yes you can!” Then she ended appropriately with “Don’t You Let Me Go Tonight.” At the end of the show she told everyone to stop taking pictures of her cause you have to “live it.” So many people were recording or taking pictures during the show, but how you could not? It felt like something special. So special that the girl next to me passed out; totally collapsed on the floor (a big sturdy girl too) falling onto my leg like dead wet. It was the best show I’ve seen in awhile, and it left me gushing.