Robyn Returns to Co-op Live: A Euphoric Night of Hope and Heartbreak

Review: Robyn at Co-op Live – Sad Bop Pioneer Returns with Hope After Heartbreak — Robyn at Co-op Live: A Triumphant Return with Hope

Robyn’s silhouette shifts from side to side across shimmering white sheets before a single red leather gloved-hand emerges through the middle. Pulling back the sheets, she slinks onto the Co-op Live stage in a one-shoulder red mini dress, fluorescent fishnets, a hot pink sleeve on one leg and a pair of gold kitten heels.

It’s a look that pays tribute to a career that has seen her fill dance floors in every decade since she was a teenager. While Robyn’s status as a pop icon has been cemented for some time now, the elusive Swedish popstar’s records have been few and far between in recent years. Her influence, however, radiates through the modern pop industry. Even today, she is at the start of her first tour in seven years, hot off the back of supporting its golden boy Harry Styles for 10 nights in Amsterdam.

A New Chapter: Sexistential

The Sexistential Tour supports her latest release, a retro-sounding exploration of her life now, as a single mother seemingly at peace with the loneliness and heartbreak that previously drove her heart-wrenching but unexpectedly euphoric songs. In Sexistential, Robyn’s yearning manifests as love for her son, born through IVF, exploring her desires and emotions through a new lens.

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It’s a record that expresses a new-found sense of harmony, but doesn’t stray from her signature sound, and refuses to shed her goofy quips about modern love and intimacy. The tracks actually fit seamlessly among her back catalogue, which is unsurprising considering she produced the album with collaborator Klas Åhlund who worked on her 2010 trilogy album Body Talk.

Fan Reception: No Warm-Up Needed

And while some audiences, left with just the cherished hits for so long, might be reluctant to hear this new creation, there is no suggestion here that Robyn’s fans need any warming up. Talk To Me serves as the first indicator that her comeback has given them exactly what they’ve been waiting for. The crowd are already on their feet singing and swaying, and the energy is there right off the bat.

It stays electric as she seamlessly switches between her new music and hits from her previous albums. The production is minimal but slick, with Robyn commanding the stage without the need for props, extravagant sets or gimmicks. Her outfit changes show there’s no messing around as she tosses items of clothing off to the side, staying locked in as she performs, at one point arriving on stage clutching a pair of black heels that she slips on as the next song starts.

Emotional Connection and Hope

Aside from a couple of shout outs for the city, Robyn breaks the fourth wall at just one point during the show, grabbing a bottle of water before approaching the mic. The audience sees this as their opportunity to show some appreciation, so as the arena erupts into cheers it’s a while before she can get her words out. “We’re still trying to figure out the show,” she says. “It’s about heartbreak”. The star admits to being “embarrassed” about writing songs about being sad and lonely, confirming to the crowd that she no longer feels that way.

She nods to her greatest hit Dancing On My Own - “this thing that I did, right” - explaining how a song hatched from loneliness has taken on new meaning since becoming a mother alone. Signing off with a message of hope she tells her fans: “Love is dangerous but when you make it through it’s always worth it.”

Euphoric Finale

After around an hour on stage, there’s anticipation in the air that her biggest hits are coming and this is a crowd that is ready. The anthemic strings of With Every Heartbeat have Robyn swaying with the crowd as drapes billow behind her. She commands the stage as she bops to Call Your Girlfriend, punching the air triumphantly.

Dancing On My Own - the 20th greatest song of all time according to Rolling Stone, by the way - closes the show as it should. The music cuts as the first chorus is handed over to the audience, while Robyn, on her knees, looks out elated. When she joins back in there’s a moment of clarity as it becomes apparent that this lonely heartbreak anthem has formed an orchestra.

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In her final act, she drops to the floor smearing glitter across her face and body before a shower of sparkling confetti rains over her. Reaching out, Robyn glistens in the light, a glorious image of emotional release and the shining euphoria that dancing it out can bring.