“It’s a humbling experience [since we’re] making weird ass instrumental music,” Khruangbin lead guitarist, Mark Speer said in awe of the massive crowd they were performing to. The massive Fox Theater in Pomona was completely sold out and filled to the brim with fans who were ready to let loose, and maybe even start a fight or two.
Considering how mellow the lineup was, several concert-goers witnessed a very loud break-up, followed by what almost turned into a physical altercation between two males, one of whom knocked off the other’s glasses. But it seemed all was forgotten when Khruangbin took the stage and completely entranced the audience with their “weird ass instrumental music.”
Visually, there was a lot to take in. Twelve disco balls hung around the stage, with lights shining directly behind them at times creating a mesmerizing prism effect directly into the audience. As the band delved further into their set, the crowd seemed to obtain more and more energy. A hip-hop medley towards the end of their set was a definite highlight, sparking even the security guards to join in song. They performed instrumental version hits from Snoop Dog to Ice Cube and more before eventually landing on “I Got 5 On It,” to which the crowd sang along.
During “Evan Finds the Third Room,” which features a consistent “Yes” statement from bassist/singer Laura Lee, a crowd member up front held up a glittering “YES” sign ensuing smiles and cheers from everyone in the back. Before the dreamy “August 10,” Speer had a brief exercise for the audience, which included introducing themselves to a neighbor and shouting out the name of their “new friend” all at once.
Fans stomped and roared for an encore, which they sure got. They hooted and hollered as drummer Maria Tambien had the crowd dancing with what energy they had left, and they hooted and hollered as drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson took the stage first, playing the keys and then moving to the drums. Lee embraced her feminine side with a costume change into a pink dress, and bubbles blew and rainbow lights flashed through the disco balls until the end of the set.
“Those are really good songs,” Speer said about The Maria’s set. And the crowd seemed to agree, as they danced along to the L.A. based indie-pop outfit. The Marias brought a sultry sound and plenty of catchy, jazzy, funk-infused songs like “Ruthless” to warm the audience up. The crowd ate up the trumpet solos and their rendition of Britney Spears “…Baby One More Time,” which is probably one of the best covers of the song out there. Clouds of soft red and pink smoke drifted above the five-piece band. After their set, new and old fans alike flocked their merch table to pick up a t-shirt or copy of their double EP, Superclean Vol. I and II.
Steady Holiday opened the lineup with some fresh indie-pop tracks off their latest album, Nobody’s Watching.
Setlist:
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Bin Bin
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The Infamous Bill
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August Twelve
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Cómo Me Quieres
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Friday Morning
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Dern Kala
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August 10(with snippets of John Holt’s “… more )
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Mr. White
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Two Fish and an Elephant
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Lady and Man
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Evan Finds the Third Room
- Hip Hop Medley
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The Edge (David McCallum) / Next Episode (Dr. Dre / Snoop Dogg)
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Footsteps in the Dark (The Isley Brothers) / It Was A Good Day (Dr. Dre)
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I Keep Forgettin’ (Michael McDonald) / Regulators (Warren G)
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I Want’a Do Something Freaky to You (Leon Haywood) / Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang (Dr. Dre / Snoop Dogg)
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Got Your Money (ODB)
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Mystic Brew (Ronnie Foster) / Electric Relaxation (A Tribe Called Quest)
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You Can’t Turn Me Away (Sylvia Striplin) / Get Money (The Notorious B.I.G.)
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True (Spandau Ballet) / Set Adrift On Memory Bliss (P.M. Dawn)
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Wicked Games (Chris Isaak)
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Summer Madness (Kool & The Gang)(with snippets of Bobby… more )
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Maria También(with snippets of Dick Dale’s “… more )
Encore:
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The Number 4
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White Gloves
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People Everywhere (Still Alive)
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