Mando Diao Electrifies Bowery Ballroom

Seconds into the rumbling bass of opener “Welcome Home, Luc Robitaille,” there was no question that the Bowery Ballroom was the place to be on Monday night. Swedish rockers Mando Diao ripped through an electrifying set with the intensity of The Clash, enabled with the hooks and charm of the Kinks. Standouts from the set included “Got Knows,” “The Wildfire,” “Long Before Rock ‘N’ Roll” and quiet ballad “Ochrasy” which lead singer/guitar player Gustaf Noren performed with minimal percussion accompaniment.  During the harder songs, a usually motionless NYC audience was wild, bouncing to the beat with such passion that I could feel the floor shaking beneath my feet. Interestingly, in January part of the floor of Norlands Opera House in Umeá collapsed while Mando Diao performed at the Amplified festival. Luckily the floor remained in tact for the entirety of their set, including encore “Clean Town.”

The Films and Pop Levi  preceded Mando Diao, revving the audience up for the headliner. The Films played lively garage rock, while the much-hyped Pop Levi definitely made some new fans channeling T. Rex with their glammy rock jams.

Mando Diao

Mando Diao

Mando Diao

Pop Levi

The Films

Photos courtesy of [Jonny-Leather ]