First Aid Kit just wrapped another leg of their tour in support of their fifth studio album, 2022’s Palomino, with an enchanting show at Seattle’s historic Paramount Theatre. They performed for around an hour and a half to an enraptured fanbase who sang happily along with many of the songs from across their career. Backed by a trio of Swedish musicians (Freja Drakenberg on keyboards, Gabriel Runemark on drums, and Johannes Runemark on guitar and mandolin), the sisters once again demonstrated the incredible quality of their voices, particularly when joined in harmony, along with an engaging and enjoyable stage presence.
The show opened with the title song from Palomino, an upbeat tune (with accompanying video behind them) that seems to bat a wistful eye at the sunny, nostalgic days of carefree summer days. That was followed by “Angel,” also off Palomino, a more downbeat tune that provided a perfect bridge to the rolling drums of “It’s a Shame,” off 2018’s Ruins.
They took a darker turn with “Rebel Heart,” the claxon-like keyboard seeming to linger as it created an eerie, ethereal foundation upon which the sisters eventually layered their gorgeous harmonies. The soulful confusion and angst with which both of them sang seemed to come from somewhere deep within and was further buoyed by a stage swathed in deep red lighting, smoke, and white lights flashing to the beat.
The perfection of their harmonies and the overall blending of their voices makes it hard to single out any songs for those attributes. However, one such highlight was “Wild Horses II,” upon which their joined harmonies were perfection.
The band stepped away for a Fleetwood Mac cover that saw the sisters sing “Songbird” in memory of Christine McVie, who died last year. After sharing how they were really hit by the loss of McVie, the pair performed an acoustic duet that was deeply soulful and heart-wrenchingly beautiful; the silence in the theatre was so complete one might have heard a pin drop.
Throughout the show, the duo seemed nostalgic. They played songs from across their career, and at one point waxed about touring 13 years ago with their dad in a small car. And, with typical humility, they mentioned feeling lucky that they still get tour playing music. The audience clearly agreed.
The encore opened with “Out of My Head,” a song from Palomino that they have stated is “one of our favorite songs we’ve ever written.” They also played “King of the World” as well as a fun cover of Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” before wrapping up with the crowd-pleasing “My Silver Lining.”
First Aid Kit are consummate performers; they easily engage their audience, sharing their incredible musical talent with evident joy. With more shows to come this year, readers should take the chance to see them if they pass your way.
