North Carolina’s electronic-funk duo Sylvan Esso continues to make waves with their debut album released in February of this year.
Singer Amelia Meath and musician Nick Sanborn first gained major attention when they performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in June. The televised performance of their standout song “Coffee” immediately placed the funky pair on the radar of electropop fans and triggered the demand for an international tour.
After making the rounds in the U.S. with shows played from Oregon to Massachusetts, Sylvan Esso crossed the pond to reach their growing U.K. fanbase. On Oct. 2, 150 fans headed to Oslo Restaurant and Live Music Venue in the Hackney borough of London to watch the red-hot Americans firsthand.
After finishing a basket of chips and three pints of ale each, the Oslo patrons headed upstairs for Sylvan Esso’s 7:30 p.m. start. The club’s stage was only slightly elevated, glowed green and was without a single prop or backdrop. This minimalist setting perfectly matched Sylvan Esso’s underwhelming entrance — there was no sound check, no instrument tuning and no introduction. Meath and Sanborn began their set by stepping up to the stage armed with nothing but a microphone and an electric keyboard and simply diving into their first song.
Crowd members fed off Sylvan Esso’s energy and began dancing immediately when the duo opened their set. Fortunately, guests did not have to wait long to hear top seller “Coffee,” which Sylvan Esso performed third, instead of saving the popular track for the finale as expected.
However, with the famous tune out of the way, much of the night’s excitement and anticipation died (some people bought tickets solely to hear this song). One attendee even joked, “Well, looks like we can head out now!”
But staying the duration of the gig was worthwhile. Sylvan Esso gave fantastic deliveries of “Hey Mami,” “Could I Be” and “H.S.K.T.” Meath consistently outshined her recorded voice, enhancing each piece with a range of impressive vocal fluctuations.
Brevity was the only downside to the intimate, upbeat gig, for Sylvan Esso has only produced the 10 songs featured on their premier album. Suddenly the performers were out of material and could only laugh and apologize, wishing they could perform longer. Sanborn generously spent a few minutes entertaining with an impromptu, hypnotic rhythm after the crowd demanded an encore.
All of Hackney’s gig attendees (and any Sylvan Esso fans worldwide) can attest that this duo is going places. With what could be the next headlining sound of 2016 festivals, they won’t be booking small gigs much longer. Take advantage of their endangered indie status by checking them out at Baltimore’s The 8 x 10 on Oct. 23.
