Gays' Heads Explode at NYC Robyn Concert

Something's wrong with the Miami gays. Electro-pop goddess Robyn -- the best thing out of Sweden since Ace of Base -- kicked off her first North American tour in Miami last Friday to a half-empty venue. That's 1,350 missed opportunities to see one of the most energetic, dance-tastic artists in the collective gay iPod. And don't tell us Miamians don't like to dance. We know that isn't true.

Last night, the Empire State gays set that wrong right by thumping for nearly three hours at at New York City's sold-out Terminal 5. Opening act Natalia Kills ripped the crowd open with her first single, "Mirrors," followed by NYC's own Maluca, whose tropical-punk sound made everyone eager for Robyn.

And then, there she was. Decked out in tight toile pants, a bomber jacket and Jean Paul Gaultier heels, Robyn kicked the setlist off with "Fembots," followed later by "Dancing On My Own," "Love Kills" and "With Every Heartbeat." An encore was a must, because, hello, she hadn't yet delivered her latest single, "Hang With Me," which she followed with "Be Mine!"

But our dear Robyn is all about a sweet ending. In her final encore, she sang "Dancehall Queen" and a "Dancing Queen/Show Me Love" mashup, which had the entire room -- floor, balconies and all -- singing right along with her. Lesson learned: if you're going to launch a continental concert tour, the concrete jungle is the place to start.

-- PHILLIP B. CROOK

Previously > First Listen: Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday