Ladytron and...

The Presets!

Those two words would have meant nothing to me if it weren't for the fact that I can stand as close as I want to my most favourite DJ in the world and ask him, "Who does this?" when I can't focus my eyes on the spinning record (but never when he has his headphones on because that means he's mixing and a DJ should never, ever be bothered when he's mixing). I already had a suspicion that the opening act was going to be monumental because Ladytron wasn't letting on who they were - not their site, not their posters, not even the press agent I had been emailing. Even Ladytron's message board was turned off so there was no way for any communication among Ladytron fanatics. Last time they came they had Mt. Sims in tow (and Simian but Simian sucks).

The Presets were in the middle of Girl and the Sea when I walked in. This rendition wasn't as gentle nor the voice as angelic as the recorded version but this was live, not playback, and they were drunk and it sounded even greater. Beams is electro - mostly docile, sometimes grating - but their set was electropunkdiscospaz. And it was... how you say... awesome? I will never forget how the drummer danced when he played the synth.

At 21.45 the strutted off stage and half an hour later six silhouettes made their way onto the stage.

Have you heard Witching Hour? Actually, let's start with the basics. Do you know of Ladytron? They were part of the first wave of electroclash (a bit like a tsunami because it had such a devastating effect on the genre - so many people screaming that it was a lame trend and all those lame wannabes would be washed out as quickly as they had presumptuously crashed in). Their first album was o so wonderful and melodic and poppy and morose. Their second album was based upon the same foundation. And the third? Just like the heroes that are Fischerspooner they grew up, didn't dwell on past arpeggios and honed their sound. Their latest album, a brilliant example of what great song writing is all about, is Witching Hour. Their sound is as subtle and potent as before but they've taken those futuristic sounds and added real live instruments (Danny on guitar, and a touring drummer and bassist). Some things stayed the same: Mira still glares, Reuben is still mute.

Just like their 2003 appearance the show wasn't much of a show but the entire crowd was entranced. Be it by their songs or the lighting or the hypnotizing stillness of it all - who knows - but there was very little movement amongst the audience besides the dancing.

I was completely smitten by Helen's moves. And that outfit: she was wearing a black dress, circa 1940s, with a heart and lightening bolt hanging from her neck, ankle high boots and severe eye make up. To see her with her hand on her hip, pulling some cruise ship lounge singer moves and twisting knobs on her Korg was like seeing Aphrodite emerge from the ocean - simply breathtaking. (FYI, I'm so stealing the hear/lightening bolt idea - please don't put it against me).

Half the songs were pulled from the first two albums and there were a couple I didn't even recognize. The oldies were jazzed up a bit, the best one being He Took Her to a Movie (it always reminds me of Lolita) and when Helen sang Playgirl she didn't actually sing "playgirl" but "play gone" or "playboy" or something along those lines. Did anyone pick up on it?

It took a while to get them out for an encore. Really long especially since they proclaimed their love for Vancouver - Danny was stoned and thanked the fan for doing the honours. And what other city has the area code matching their first album or a has a venue named after an old-school computer which also happens to be the name of one of their first tracks? Admit it guys, Vancouver rocks and so do Ladytron.