Gig Review: Sylvan Esso At Electric Brixton
Jam packed in the sweltering heat and all eyes are on Sylvan Esso. Blessed are we to be delivered an exemplary performance to a rare UK audience.
Matched are the beatifying lights to the live mixes notion of 909 beats. Fuzzy and warm synths pulse through the crowd’s hearts at every beat. It is blatantly clear that every single person in attendance has been awaiting this moment from Sylvan Esso. Vocalist Amelia Meath embodies an almost angelic aura throughout at their live shows, which had not been understated or given a miss for the dance beat famished Electric Brixton audience. Paired with the ever so energetic synth and live mixing magician, Nick Sandborn.
The married couple didn’t miss a beat in terms of energy for the audience, the briefest of silences as the lights dimmed and preliminary, get you in the mood tunes fade and only to erupt into pure ecstasy and cheer from the crowd.
The flicker of lights announce Sandborn to the stage to finally get this party started, whirling synths and a four-to-the-floor beat encapsulated the mood of the eagerly awaiting crowd for a moment they’ve all been waiting for. Introducing with ‘Alarm’ Meath emerges in her stratospheric nature.
All eyes are firmly on the stage, Meath belts the tracks from their well credited discography and deservedly allows the ‘No Rules’ element of the tour to come to fruition, alongside the commanding presence Sandborn emanates from the mixing desk. An impressive feat to not only visibly enjoy himself, but have such virtuoso status whilst performing. From minuet one we have been truly given a chance to cherish this experience with the stage portraying matrimonial effect on the crowd with their emotions.
A huge hand needs to be given to the tech team and lighting too, beats were matched impeccably on the stage headlights, only amplifying the bubbly dance vibe the night surrounded itself in and sound wise? Absolutely groundbreaking. After taking a standpoint from various levels at Electric Brixton is was entirely evident that the sound had been well cared for and to be received by all. The mezzanine level acted as a primary source of dance and party ease, a full view of the stage and ample room for all fans to move and groove to Sylvan Esso’s luxurious stage presence. From the glitchy and janky layering of ‘Kick Jump Twist’ to the syncopated boogie closing beats of ‘Echo Party’ the evening show truly had it all for everyone to feast their midweek gigging needs upon.
Even after a long hiatus with UK shows, Sylvan Esso clearly are capable of drawing a ginormous yet dedicated and respectful crowd, the hope is for a few more shows only to better this one at more large scale venues across the country, as well as a dream of getting down to the addictive beats at your favourite dance tents during the festival period next year, as unfortunately that is it for the couple and their UK section of the No Rules Tour. Better get yourself over to The States if you want to catch them again this year!
The ability to capture all emotions, yet the nullify any negatives through pure sound and energy had been served a masterclass by Sylvan Esso at the late show, smiles and laughter are all could be seen post gig and through the tube stations, with the general consensus being the crowd just begging for more, until the next you’re across the pond, Sylvan Esso we will miss you.