Wednesday 16th May 2012 by Michael Baggs

Tags: Icona Pop

It doesn't matter how long we look at their name it doesn't change - Icona Pop is a terribly clunky name for a band.

So, it's just as well that everything else about this Swedish duo is amazing - from their look to their attitude and from their songs to their live performances. For example, their show last night in the basement of an East London pub was possibly the most exciting pop show we've seen all year.

Now, don't judge us too harshly here, but earlier this year we went to see Steps perform live at The O2. (In our defence: it was a freebie, the end of the month, we were skint and someone bought us dinner). Steps performed Top Ten hit after Top Ten hit to one of the UK's biggest venues with a huge stage show and lavish production - and it wasn't half as much fun as watching Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo perform a handle of tracks in a tiny room stuffed with beautiful Swedish fans.

Blending the regal pop sounds of Robyn, the elegant electronica of The Knife and the batshit vocals of Shampoo, Icona Pop moshed and head-banged though tracks from their 2011 EP 'Nights Like This' including breakthrough track 'Manners' (including effortless new dubstep elements), 'Nights Like This' along with new tune 'Top Rated'. Performing on an illuminated dancefloor, beneath a low, mirrored ceiling and surround on all sides by fans - this was the very definition of an intimate gig. Their performance was pure punk - but their sound a mash of pop dubstep dance rock indie nonsense.

It was new single 'I Love It' that really raised the roof (only a foot above our heads) however, which the girls performed twice, meeting with noisy appreciation the first time around and to sheer ecstasy as they closed the show with what many are calling one of the big pop hits of 2012.

We urge you to put aside any fear of the word 'pop' here and give these girls a try. If there is ever going to be a revolution in the stale world of pop, Icona Pop are going to be leading the assault on Simon Cowell's X Factor fortress and prising David Guetta's fingers from his tight death-grip on the Top Ten. Brilliant, brilliant stuff.

Below: Icona Pop live gallery