Our Ode To Karen O
We struggle to think of a modern frontwoman more relevant, forward-thinking, directional and inspirational than the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O. As the New York art rockers release their AWESOME new album, Mosquito, this week (which you can download on iTunes here from 15 April), we look back at her best on-stage looks and moments. And covet her coolness accordingly.
Picture Editor: Sandra Waibl
Sandra WaiblThe Barfly, London – 2002
Right at the start of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs career, before they’d even released their debut album Fever To Tell, our heroine Karen O transported her “trashy, punky, grimy” initial persona from the mean streets of New York to a grubby little stage in London.
Sandra WaiblThe Barfly, London – 2002
To christen the capital? A leopard-print uni-tard (spot the reference, YYYs nerds). And a jet back bob cut of epic coolness.
Sandra WaiblBrixton Academy, London – 2002
There are few people who can rock any combination of prints, textures and shapes and still make it look cool. Brick wall leggings, blancmange-pink tu-tu, strapless corset and a red cross-body belt? Karen O owns that category.
Sandra WaiblThe Garage, London - 2002
Showcasing her true punk credentials in an artfully-ripped T-dress, festooned with black crosses.
Sandra WaiblThe Barfly, Cardiff - 2003
Showing us some serious bones in Cardiff. Skull and cross bones.
Sandra WaiblThe Barfly, Cardiff - 2003
SHE’S JUST SO AWESOME. Doing what she does best.
Sandra WaiblThe Forum, London - 2003
Just in case you thought Lily Allen pioneered that cute dress with trainers look or something…
Sandra WaiblThe Forum, London – 2003
A close-up of that bead-work. And her super-sharp bangs.
Sandra WaiblThe Astoria, London – 2003
Man, we miss The Astoria! The now demolished music venue saw some of the world’s most influential musicians grace its stage, including our Karen, lovingly clad in fluorescent cyber-punk garb for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs show in 2003.
Sandra WaiblThe Astoria, London – 2003
Next time you snag a pair of tights, think to yourself, ‘What would Karen O do?’ Answer: rip them up some more and wear them, of course.
Sandra WaiblThe Concorde, Brighton – 2004
Giving the mighty Crüe a run for their money in the Spandex stakes, Karen O teams her colour-splashed leg-wear with a black band tank and three sequinned belts.
Sandra WaiblThe Concorde, Brighton – 2004
And here, too, teamed with a satin-blue cape and a bold, visor-like make-up look.
Getty ImagesThe MTV Movie Awards, Culver City – 2004
Probably one of the most stunning on-stage Karen O pictures ever. Rocking out in the rain at the MTV Movie Awards in 2004.
Sandra WaiblThe Kentish Town Forum, London – 2004
When roller disco met punk rock, this happened.
Getty ImagesCoachella Festival, California – 2006
Leading the playsuit trend before the playsuit trend. And inspiring bowl-cuts for at least a decade.
Sandra WaiblAll Tomorrow’s Parties, UK – 2006
Rocking a guilded, structured mini-dress and a jewel-embellished glove at the festival in Camber Sands.
Sandra WaiblAll Tomorrow’s Parties, UK – 2006
Can you balance a microphone on your face? Thought not.
Getty ImagesDownload Festival, Donnington – 2006
We call this look ‘Flash Gordon chic’.
Getty ImagesShoreline Amphitheatre, California – 2006
More microphone eating. This time in techni-colour.
Getty ImagesLollapalooza Festival, Chicago – 2007
Karen gets her goth on in faux fur and PVC as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs play a string of shows to promote their brilliant second album, Show Your Bones.
Getty ImagesLollapalooza Festival, Chicago – 2007
Two years later, she’s back at the festival with a headpiece of EPIC hand-eye co-ordinating proportions.
Sandra WaiblBrixton Academy, London − 2009
No-one wears a shoulderless eyeball dress quite like Karen O.
Sandra WaiblBrixton Academy, London − 2009
Close-up of said eyeball dress.
Getty ImagesCoachella Festival, California – 2009
Proving you really can team a studded leather jacket with anything, Karen O combines punk and disco to awe-inspiring effect at Coachella in 2009.
Getty ImagesBonnaroo, Manchester – 2009
Clashing prints and cyber-tubing were the order of the day in Manchester.
Getty ImagesT In The Park, Kinross – 2009
Give the woman a tribal-tasselled leather corset to wear? She’ll whack a pair of zig-zag leggings with it and still look freakin’ awesome.
Getty ImagesMOMA, New York – 2010
Debuting a slick new bob and a flamboyant cape dress at a garden benefit at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York in May 2010, to doubt to promote the YYYs third album, It’s Blitz.
Getty ImagesSXSW Festival, Austin – 2013
At last, we arrive at Karen’s modern day incarnation – an Elton-inspired, platinum blonde femme fatal in a canary yellow two-piece, glittering boa and a seriously bad ass pair of shades. Only she could do this. And only the YYYs could fuse reggae influences with indie-punk and still come out with a record like Mosquito. Karen O and co – we love you. Long may you reign Queen of Stage and Costume.
Getty ImagesCoachella, 2013
The YYYs kicked off Coachella on Friday night in grand style. Although not the official headliners, the American band stole the show with Karen in a silvery Vegas style suit and floral halterneck.
