“Sweden’s darkest pop export”, Tove Lo, made her appearance with her riveting sound at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto on February 16, 2020. Currently on her third headlining tour called, Sunshine Kitty Tour, Tove Lo gains attraction with her singles Glad He’s Gone, Bikini Porn, and Worst Behaviour which has her opener featuring, Finnish musician ALMA. Known for her synthetic sound and dance pop rhythms Tove Lo gained attraction in 2015 off of her debut album, Queen of the Clouds, with hits like Talking Body, Timebomb, and most famously Habits (Stay High). Since 2015 Tove Lo has had hit after hit and has managed to stay among top with the best musicians, and rightfully so. To match her energy, ALMA was the perfect act to start off the night.
ALMA had the crowd in her hands. Moving around the stage passionately with her bright neon green hair vibrantly peeking through the dark. The Finnish singer gave a promising performance with her electro-pop sound which meshed really well with her melodic voice. Chasing Highs, her biggest hit, had her fans jumping around. As I moved my way to the back of the crowd, it was really apparent that ALMA’s fanbase were devoted to her by the way that they dressed, recited her lyrics back to her and the energy they exuberated. As a solo act, ALMA made her presence known, moving swiftly back from one side of the stage to the other but still being able to connect with the people in front. Concluding her set, the crowd just longed for more but were most defiantly ready for Tove Lo.
Getting ready backstage, the flashes from a camera sneaked its’ way onto the stage. Getting those last pictures in, the crowd could peer into Tove Lo getting pumped to go onto stage. Recently attaining a foot injury, Tove Lo had to be seated for the most part of the show but that didn’t stop her entrance to be grand. Walking in with a crutch and her right foot in a walking “bedazzled” boot with pink rhinestones. Performing Glad He’s Gone, the crowd reciting the lyrics back in unison. The Swedish star was later seated in a red velvet throne with gold accents and had the crowd pumped nevertheless. Not being able to move much, Tove Lo still managed to keep energy visible and have her stage presence be shown with hand movements and dances.
Lighting played a huge factor as well. With the purple and blue tones that blanketed the audience, it reminded me very much so of the Queen of Clouds album. For the second song, Worst Behaviour, ALMA came back on stage and had the crowd hyped once again. Although Tove Lo was seated for the song, the two still had a strong connection. ALMA going from one side of the stage to the other but then circling back to Tove Lo, smiling continuously and really enjoying each other’s presence. Her encore including Sweettalk my Heart, Habits, and Bikini Porn, Tove Lo had a very enthusiastic set. She was able to connect with the audience so well and you could tell her fanbase holds her and her music highly. There wasn’t ever a moment that I saw that Tove Lo felt hindered because of her injury, she made the most of what she had and it truly showed.
Continuing her world tour, Tove Lo is on tour will August 9th, 2020 playing the last show in Skanderborg, Denmark at Smukfest. If she’s coming to your city between now and then, I highly recommend you go see her and ALMA for an ever memorable performance.
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By: Hyra Chughtai | Exclusively for @Music, Why Not!
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