Pop Break Live: Karen O and Danger Mouse Perform Lux Prima at King’s Theatre in Brooklyn, NY
Words & Photos by Matt Di Paola
In the beautifully ornate King’s Theatre in Brooklyn, an almost sold out crowd was treated to a night of talented musicians and their ethereal side hustles.
Kicking off the night, was a stripped down 45 minute solo acoustic set from Parquet Courts’ A. Savage. Savage, simply sitting on a chair with his guitar and a music stand entertained the crowd with humble stories of how Danger Mouse found him busking and asked him last minute to perform that night, completely downplaying his connection to Parquet Courts.
Then he essentially busked on stage for the crowd, turning the Theatre into an intimate setting while playing songs from his 2017 Thawing Down album as well as some covers from 13th Floor Elevators and Parquet Courts.
Following what felt like a performance in Savage’s living room, the stage was set, the lights dimmed and the crowd was taken on a journey into the airy and atmospheric world of Lux Prima. On stage right was Sam Cohen on guitars who collaborated with Danger Mouse on the Man in the High Castle soundtrack and his recent 2019 album, the Future’s Still Ringing in My Ears. On stage left was a choir and full string section. Dead center at the back of the stage was the man himself, Danger Mouse, underneath a smoky spotlight, and behind his console, discreetly orchestrating the show, as I’m sure he does in the studio.
As the band eased into the opening notes of Lux Prima, Karen O glided on to the stage in a hooded sparkly cape ensemble and soothed the crowd with the more angelic range of her voice. While the performance was more understated than what you may have seen at a Yeah Yeah Yeahs show, Karen O still brought her signature ear to ear grins during key moments, showing the audience how much she was enjoying performing these songs.
Even when she missed a few cues and asked the band to restart songs like “Ministry,” she laughed it off, we laughed it off and she was as charismatic as ever. Karen O balanced smiling and dancing across the stage on songs like “Turn the Light” and “Woman” and then slowing it down with her hands floating through the air, captivating the audience during more intimate performances of “Drown” and “Reveries.”
After a brief interlude, the crowd was treated with a classic Karen O costume change, dialing up the glitter with a 70s disco dress and diamond encrusted looking head-dress, while closing out the show with the moody Nox Lumina.
This was only the second live performance of Lux Prima (the first was at the Ace Hotel in LA in September). While it’s unclear if there will be additional performances of the album, if they suddenly show up in your town, don’t miss it.
 and Danger Mouse performing Lux Prima at King's Theatre in Brooklyn, NY.){kind=link}