KHRUANGBIN
Khruangbin at Firefly Distillery, North Charleston, SC.
Have you ever realized there’s sort of a mind control element to Khruangbin’s live shows? I’ve seen them a few times as a general attendee and never really noticed; it’s easy to get lost in the groove. But shooting Khruangbin through the eyes of a camera peeled back the layers and exposed what makes them a really good live act.
Many live concerts are defined by big moments - musicians jumping around on stage, shredding guitar solos, epic drum fills, etc. But not this show. Every movement by bassist Laura Lee and guitarist Mark Speer was calculated and subtle. On stage, they walked slowly from side to side in absolutely no rush. They took turns casually walking to the edge of the catwalk to greet the crowd. This is where most artists choose to show off. Not these two. They merely stopped, stared at the crowd and turned around (although there was a slow, dramatic fingerpicking solo by Speer).
But then you realize that Lee has been somehow making direct eye contact with every single person in the crowd - simultaneously. And she hasn’t blinked the entire show. Once she starts doing her signature dips (iykyk) - it’s over. You’re under her spell for the rest of the night.
She and drummer Donald Johnson have mastered the art of the “less is more” rhythm section, never breaking character or getting in the way of their own groove. They just get it. This specific evening at the outdoor stage of Firefly Distillery in Charleston (which is an amazing venue) was full of hits, from “White Gloves” to “Time (You and I)” to their famous hip hop medley, which is re-engineered every tour. From the opening “First Class” to the encore finale “People Everywhere (Still Alive)”, the crowd was just as locked into the music as the band was…and not just because they were hypnotized.
It was one of those of those rare one-of-my-favorite-bands-is-playing-while-the-sun-is-setting-in-perfect-weather-and-everyone-in-the-crowd-is-dancing-with-their-eyes-closed kinda shows.
***While it wasn’t during this show, Khruangbin did include J.Dilla’s “Time: The Donut of The Heart” in their hip hop medley in past tours, which is a personal favorite of mine.
Rest in Power J. Dilla.
Shot and Written by Mark Franzen.
