Music is my airplane and probably everyone else’s.
Music lifts you up, and when you hear those spine tingling sounds and your hair stands up, you certainly feel like you are flying.
KHRUANGBIN (meaning ‘airplane’ in Thai) brought their fantastical performance to the 3Arena last night with their delicately simple stage design of arches and projected scenery including moon risings and sun settings. The trio came out slowly, moving amongst their set and passing by each other whilst DJ Johnson sat securely in place.
Bassist Laura Lee and guitarist Mark Speer have a movement like no other and a stage presence like no other band out there. A simplistic approach to rocking out on stage. Rather they go for the bounce from one leg to another style whilst gliding amongst the objects on stage.
A Photographers worst nightmare last night as the trio started their set right at the back of the stage covered in smoke with a very low saturated lighting design. Not one of us in the pit were having an easy time. After the first 3 songs however, the band began to pick up their mics and slowly step by step, song by song, they made their way to the front of the stage and lighting shifted to illuminate the faces of these Texas icons.
The A La Sala tour kicked off in the USA With about 55 concerts in total and moving on to the rest of the world and exploding through most of Europe and the UK. Certainly a band that all music lovers should go and watch, but last night, I was honestly left a little underwhelmed.
The music style of Khruangbin doesn’t fit neatly into just any genre, it’s blended across so many vibes like Surf Rock, Funk, Dub, Latino and psychedelic. Perhaps the 3Arena was just too big of a venue to hold them? It felt like the music was lost amongst the crowd and for me, I could hear the chit chatter of onlookers more than I could hear the magic on stage.
Regardless off that, KHRUANGBIN have been taking the world by storm with their blends of genres and their matching hair styles and beautiful Guitar skills. Both Laura and Mark work so well together. Laura has such a simple groove style that sits nicely on top of the echoed feedback plucking by Mark. Funky drums to match and we got ourselves a band that all types of fans will bounce to.
I met so many friends at the show and everyone seemed to really be enjoying the vibes. Even though it seemed that people were enjoying their own pockets of chit chat groups more than the music, but maybe that’s the vibe at a KHRUANGBIN show? Music in the background whilst you enjoy everyones company? Are Khruangbin the soundtrack to a night out with friends ?.
Admittedly, I tend to have them on in the background whilst I’m working or editing, but this not what I expected from a live show. Towards the end of the night however, things seem to pick up and all eyes were directed straight at the stage. Tracks like María también & People Everywhere make your ears prick up and you just gota dance.
Before the Texas Legends arrived on stage, we were greeted by Peter Cat Recording Co. An Indian Alt Rock group who have a swingy jazzy sound. An excellent performance and some great moves by Mr Suryakant Sawhney.
Peter Cat Recording Co photos:
Khruangbin photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Set 1: A LA SALA
Fifteen Fifty‐Three
May Ninth
Ada Jean
Farolim de Felgueiras
Pon Pón
Todavía Viva
Juegos y Nubes
Hold Me Up (Thank You)
Caja de la Sala
Three From Two
A Love International
Les Petits Gris
Set 2:
White Gloves
Mr. White
August 10
Dern Kala
So We Won’t Forget
Lady and Man
Evan Finds the Third Room
Time (You and I)
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María también
People Everywhere (Still Alive)
Words & Photos Carl Foran – @carlforanphotography