Having never before heard Stereolab, I turn up at Camden's KOKO unsure exactly what to expect. The place is packed so we grab some beers and find a place on the stairs to enjoy the show. When Stereolab take to the stage, I'm left slightly confused, they look absolutely nothing like a band! Their lead singer, Laetitia Sadier, reminds me of an American 1950s housewife, I can easily picture her making meatloaf and going to key swapping parties. Her band of six, nondescript guys, appear to have made no effort with style whatsoever, the whole ensemble leaves me quite unsettled. I wonder if Laetitia had one too many Singapore Slings and accidentally brought the wrong band?
As they begin to play I immediately think of classic TV shows, they sound like the theme tune to a bad 50’s sitcom, but in a good way. Their open door policy for keyboards, five on my count, seems to me a little excessive, but maybe this is what creates their unique brand of experimental pop. Laetitia sings with a detachment somewhat reminiscent of Nico but with a slightly irritating bilingual twist. There are however moments where I start to think their mix of retro and electro is working, at one point, Laetitia simultaneously plays the trombone and keyboard, all the time continuing to sing, whilst one of the many keyboard players gets out his French Horn. But, once the excitement is over, like the moment after a streaker at a cricket match, you realise it's back to the main show and nothing else exciting really happens.
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