LIve: Chrissie Hynde @ Koko

Chrissie Hynde takes to the stage of London’s Koko to bring us a pre-Christmas blast of old hits and new songs, from her first solo album, Stockholm.

Strikingly, she has retained the look, demeanor and attitude that has characterised her position at the helm of the The Pretenders since the late 1970s.

But more striking still is the distinctive and recognisable voice that rings out on tracks including Kid, Don’t Get Me Wrong and Talk Of The Town.

There’s a fair number of new tracks rolled out tonight, such as Sweet Nuthin’, Dark Sunglasses and You Or No One – the latter of which effortlessly stands out, both on the new record and live.

However, it’s the old songs that really shine, including the haunting My City Was Gone and the enthralling Back On The Chain Gang.

She banters with the crowd between songs and gives a shout out to Vive Le Rock magazine, saying she turned down being on the cover of Vogue, Elle and Harpers & Queen, in order to feature on the front of this UK rock magazine instead. I’m not sure we need her to justify her rock and roll credibility at this stage in the game, but it’s still a nice touch.

Hynde returns for not one but two encores and gives in to the Christmas vibe by ending the night with the beautiful snow shower that is 2,000 Miles.

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Chrissie Hynde @ Koko. London.  16 December 2014.
Words and photographs by Imelda Michalczyk. www.rebeladelica.com