Well it’s only February but it’s already safe to say that 2013 has been a good year for Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt who make up the Swedish Electro-Pop duo Icona Pop. After releasing their first EP Iconic in the US last fall, they joined Matt and Kim & Passion Pit for their 2013 US Tour and were the opening act when they played Madison Square Garden earlier this month. Their single "I Love It" rocketed to number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after being featured on season 2 of HBO’s breakout hit TV show GIRLS. All of this leading up to their first headlining, sold-out show at the iconic Troubadour theater in Los Angeles, California. Small in size, the Troubadour has been notorious since the 1960s for being the venue that has kick-started the success of many important musicians.

The lights went down and chorus from Icona Pop’s 2010 single Manners played; “Manners. Take a second look and you'll see, there is no one like me. “ The purple and pink spot lights flashed and Aino and Caroline burst on to the stage vivaciously chapping and head-bobbing to the beat. Dressed in black, they took their places at mics set on either side of a 2-station duel DJ table placed in the center of the stage. The sold-out crowed, packed in wall to wall screamed and applauded. It became apparent that they already have a number of die-hard fans because the excitement was palpable. The energetic, catchy and uplifting opening performance set the tone for the rest of the show. Throughout the night, Aino and Caroline traded-off between singing and controlling the decks, head-banging, dancing and clearly having a blast while doing it.

Icona Pop’s glossy kinetic party anthems have a tinge of post break-up angst that gives their tunes enough edge to not fall into the cloying trap of the Electro candy-pop genre. The overall message of their songs is about finding that place after a time of sadness where you say: “Fuck it! I’m going out and, goddamnit, I’m gonna dance and be happy!”

The show took us on a ride from the mellow synth pop tunes like Good for You to all out fist-pumping, floor stopping, big-room jams like We Got the World.

When the show ended Icona Pop exited only to be brought back for a somewhat predictable encore where they finished with their most notable hit "I Love It". They invited the entire front row of the audience on to the stage for a dance party for the remainder of the song.

They have all of the pop palatability to reach the Top 40 charts and enough dirty synth riffs, like in "Ready for The Weekend", to keep even the savviest EDM consumer hooked.

“One year ago we didn’t have a ticket to LA,” said Caroline after telling the sweet tale of how her and Aino formed Icona Pop after meeting at a party in 2009. They have certainly come a long way, it was a fun, uplifting show and Icona Pop will definitely be on our radar for the rest of 2013.

Review: Anna Falzetta

photos: http://www.phukitfoto.com

Swedish Electro-Pop duo Icona Pop had, hands down, one of the biggest debuts of 2012 with the single "I Love It" (recently featured on GIRLS season 2 episode 3).  In fact, it was a big enough year to get them booked as the opening act for Passion Pit and Matt & Kimon their 2013 tour.  If Passion Pit isn't your thing, no need to worry, the girls are doing several headlining dates including the legendary Troubadour in Hollywood on February 16th.  Check out the dates below and get your tickets soon!

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:  www.iconapop.com