Project Description

TOVE STYRKE

@ The Howler

12/04/2018

Reviewer: Kelsey Hentschel

Photographer: Kez Werner

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Fresh from being handpicked to support Lorde on her American Arena Tour, Tove Styrke made her Australian debut this week. She gained popularity as a contestant on Swedish Idol 2009, finishing in third place. After Idol 2009, she started a solo career as an electro-pop singer and songwriter. Playing in Sydney earlier this week, the Swedish pop princess hit the Howler in Melbourne to give us fans an electric performance.

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Kicking of the night was Moza, an independent Electronic duo from Sydney. With their fun energetic set they definitely hyped up the crowd in preparation for Tove. Playing a bunch of their singles & even some popular covers by Peking Duk & The Killers.

Walking out in a sheer diamonteed boiler suit (made by Lorde’s own costume designer) to an wave of cheers. Tove immediately transitioned into her first track ‘Borderline’. The upbeat pop track had the room bopping and singing along immediately. In the space between the first and second track, Tove stopped the show upon spotting a copy of her first album, exclaiming “Oh my gosh! That’s baby me!”. The swede was noticeably in disbelief that someone on the opposite side of the globe had a copy of her early music. She happily signed the CD & readied herself to carry on with the show. “Back to the Job!, Sometimes I forget this is my job, because its just so fun” she stated.

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Styrke swayed across the stage, pardon the pun, Styrke’s third album ‘Sway’ is out May 4. Her tiny stature exploded with an personality as big as they get! The singer powered through her hits ‘Mistakes’ & ‘Say My Name’ and continued on to a few tracks off her sophomore album ‘Kiddo’.

Tove had one of the most unusual set lists I’ve encountered in quite some time, and I still cannot understand why she played all of her hit songs, including her newest release ‘On The Low’ at the very beginning of the set.

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Styrke rounded out her set with ‘Even If I’m Loud It Doesn’t Mean I’m Talking to You’ an anthemic track separating the casual fans from the die-hards. Considering this is not one of her better known tracks, it was a bit strange to jump around giving it my all to a song I wasn’t entirely familiar with. However despite the odd song choice the entire room was buzzing from the electric performance we had been witness to the whole night.

Its undoubtable that Tove Styrke is a born performer. Lorde saw something special in this one, and now we all see it too. Highest praise to this little firecracker! I’m waiting anxiously for the new album & Tove’s return to Australian shores. Until next time.

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Follow TOVE STYRKE:

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