Jens Lekman in Madison

Jens Lekman performed this past weekend in Madison, WI and Milwaukee, WI. I went to the Madison show, which I heard from other reviews was the one to go to. The show opened with The Honeydrips, a one man band with his laptop. He stood still and sang along to his laptop. It was strange at first, but once the audience warmed up to him the music was good. Meanwhile, a bat had entered the auditorium and was flying around the stage. The Honeydrips just continued to keep playing without flinching.

Jens began playing a little after 9pm and played an hour and half set, longer than his Milwaukee set. Right away he opened with “I’m Leaving You Because I Don’t Love You” and “The Opposite of Hallelujah”. He played the majority of his new album and a couple of his old favorites. All the songs were outstanding performed live. I had my fears that he was not going to be that great live, but he proved me wrong.

One song he did exceptionally well was “Postcard to Nina”. Jens explained the entire back-story, so much so that he forgot the actual words to the song for a minute and his band had to help him out. This song is really good once you know the back story. It turns out he really did go to Berlin to pretend his gay friend’s, Nina, boyfriend for dinner with her folks. I can not do the story justice. I know there is a live version of “Postcard to Nina” on youtube.com

He continued to play one encore performance. At this point the audience got up at danced for the first time. They were allowed to get right up to the stage-about 5feet away from Jens!  For the patient few who stuck around Jens came out and played only requests! Unfortuntely, I had left at this point.

Jens’ violinist is originally from Madison and she had her family in the audience, which he pointed out to the crowd. She was really good and one could tell she was glad to be back in Wisconsin playing a show.

Jens Lekman’s concert was probably one of the best concerts to hit the Madison stage lately, and hopefully he will come back soon.

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