Kings of Convenience Launch First American Tour in 12 Years at Webster Hall
Kings of Convenience – Webster Hall – October 23, 2023
Hygge is a Scandinavian term that the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines as a “a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable.” Since their 2001 debut, Quiet Is the New Loud, longtime Norwegian folk-pop duo Kings of Convenience have been composing your perfect autumnal soundtrack for more than two decades, which comes as no a surprise as they hail from the land of coziness. As New Yorkers are hunkering down due to a run of rainy weekends and darker nights, Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe are here to chase away any impending seasonal depression. The pair landed Stateside to perform after a long absence, opening their American tour with the first of two sold-out shows at Webster Hall on Monday night.
A rousing ovation erupted as Øye stepped to the edge of stage and then the crowd quickly hushed as the duo strummed into“Comb My Hair. They played mostly from the 2021 album Peace or Love, their fourth LP but first in 12 years. The combo of “Love Is a Lonely Thing” and the snap-inspiring “Catholic Country” was missing Feist’s guest vocals, so concertgoers were asked to help sing along on another Feist collab, “Know How,” fromRiot on an Empty Street.
An electric guitarist and drummer joined for the tail end of the set to really get everyone in the room grooving. On “Fever,” Bøe removed a small keyboard from its stand to play closer to the front row. (A fan in the balcony yelled, “You are my therapy,” which was especially validating since Bøe studied clinical psychology for seven years.) The tempo increased for fan-favorite “I’d Rather Dance with You” as the disco ball was fully activated to twinkle over the room. The two returned to the stage for a final encore of “24-25,” sending their longtime fans snugly into the crisp New York City night.
