Robyn @ Scala, November 1, 2007

Unsurprisingly, the Scala is ram-packed tonight, with swathes of people squashed up against one another like shrink-wrapped slices of halloumi. For good reason though; Robyn, Sweden's finest export of late, is in town for one night only. It's uncanny, as you look around the room, to see the prodigious number of peroxide bobs attached to the quirky troupe of Robyn-ite clones, all like carbon copies of the popstrell herself.

Unusually dressed down for the occasion, Robyn consumes the stage as she bops out, wearing an over-sized blue T-shirt and micro-mini black leather skirt. As if the crowd were in attendance at a theatre production, she takes her place, front centre stage and strikes a pose. The bodies roar in approval as the electronic intro to 'Cobrastyle' pours out of the speakers with the pumping bleeps throwing out invisible puppet strings which catch everyone in attendance in their grasp, making them involuntarily swing their hips and fling their arms all over the place.

Throughout the set Robyn energetically throws a myriad of shapes, including one that looks like a noughties reworking of the running man, as she races through one catchy pop gem after another. Notably, during 'Who's That Girl', the drumsticks she's been clutching are put to use as she lays into the electric drumkit to her left, hitting every beat and thoroughly gleaming with excitement.

Not only does she play practically every tune off her recently released eponymous album, she also treats the crowd to a rendition of Beverly Knight's 'Keep This Fire Burning', which as Robyn herself deduces: "Beverly Knight did it well, but I just think I do it better!" And right she is, putting a more dancey, urbanised and popstream flow to the tune, attacking a tambourine in the process. Then we're treated to an encore in the form of a minimal cowbell infused rendition of her 1997 hit 'Show me Love', which is received with enthusiasm from the members of the crowd who remember it.

Encore number two is unexpected but deliciously devoured. Having played 'With Every Heartbeat' earlier in the set Robyn caresses the tune this time, as she throws all her emotion into an acoustic version where her ravishing vocals can be heard in their purest form, with the entirety of the room singing along in unison. As she wraps up, she vocalises her appreciation of all the attention and blows kisses into the crowd. Judging by tonight's performance, Robyn will deservedly continue to storm our airwaves.

Words: Naomi Misquita-Rice