The cosy red walls of The Workman’s Club give the venue a certain warmth, a welcomed contrast to the miserable winters night that Dublin city had become. Dimly lit with candle’s, the venue welcomes in the eagerly waiting crowd.

Mixing flute, bowed guitar and electronics, hailing from Manchester, the support act Magic Arms keep the listeners sufficiently entertained. A perfect chilled act to prepare the audience for what was to come.

Rebekka Karijord attracts an older crowd, but an almost childlike excitement is felt as they await the Norwegian groups arrival.

Arriving on stage without Rebekka, the band kick into an ambient, Sigur Ros style intro. Then the creature that is Rebekka Karijord appears staring down the audience with a venomous look. She’s ready. Wearing a black, almost cape like dress with bells in the lining she kicks into the opening track of her new album. “Prayers” is everything one wants from an opening track but no one expected the spectacle it becomes live. Huge percussion takes over the crowd as all three instrumentalists take part. One on a kit while two smashing their sticks off the wall of the venue. This thunderous opener warns the onlookers for what they are in for.

The first single off her new album follows, “Use My Body While Its Still Young” continues with more powerful percussion giving Rebekka the opportunity to violently dance around the small cramped stage, the bells of her dress becoming an instrument. The excitement picks up as her energy transcends to every corner of the room. “So nice to be back” she manages to say whilst trying to catch her breath.

“I’m gonna’ play the lightest love song I’ve ever written” she announces, also the next single of the album. “Multicoloured hummingbird” is a soft ballad that allows everyone in the room to compose themselves after the thunderous two songs previous. The catchy chorus allows the audience to sing along, transforming the singer to almost become the bird she is singing about.

After playing some softer tracks from her previous album she pauses. “Let me introduce my lovely band”. The group modestly bows as their names are called. A piano solo by Rebekka silences the crowd, a true showcase of her talent. An undeniable connection can be seen between her and her music. Church organs open “Your Love” . More percussion re-energizes the crowd as the eccentric singer throws herself around the stage, never breaking eye contact with the stunned onlookers. A huge communal chant of “Your love is all around me” has the crowd more than satisfied.

“There is a certain wildness and honesty about the Irish that I connect to” she announces, “This an ode to you guys”. The closer is just as spectacular as the rest of the gig. “Ode To What Was Lost” is a chilling ballad, beginning with soft piano and a solo voice and ending in an explosion of guitars and harmonies. The band walk off, but the crowd need more and don’t give up clapping and cheering until they succeed.

Following a surprisingly emotional rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “ Cry Me A River” the band leaves the stage leaving Rebekka to close the show with the title track of her debut album “The Art Of Letting Go”. The silence in the room is eerie as she screams her way, so passionately, through the closer.

“We’ve had an amazing evening” she concludes before bowing and leaving the stage. A moment of standstill is felt throughout the room as the congregation process what they have just witnessed.

Rebekka Karijord is one to watch, resembling the likes of Bjork and PJ Harvey, and after witnessing her live show she is a name you will not forget.

Words and Images by Cian Duignan

Rating: 4.5/5