Concert Review: Khruangbin at KEMBA Live!
Khruangbin
Review & Photos by Jack Foley
“Khruangbin” means “airplane” in the Thai language, which perfectly embodies the feeling from listening to the group’s albums, as well as their musical inspirations. Their stylistic world tour includes influences from Iranian and Afghani tonal qualities, Zambian and Nigerian psychedelia, and US funk/disco tracks. This barely scratches the surface of their influences; I recommend checking out their Spotify Artist curated playlists, which take you around the world and delve into the melting pot that is Khruangbin. With any given song by Khruangbin, one could close their eyes and be transported to any global music scene your heart so desires. KEMBA Live! Outdoor shows are the pinnacle of summer shows in Columbus, so much so that even the threat of torrential downpours weren’t enough to keep thousands of concertgoers away, especially not for an artist like Khruangbin.
John Carroll Kirby
John Carroll Kirby’s opening performance set the stage for a night of groovy tunes through funky bass riffs, flute solos, and syncopated rhythms. Their stage presence was impeccable, it felt as if I was invited to my own private jam session with the band. Trying not to nod my head while in the photo pit was challenging, the groove in their songs was tight, much like the headliner, Khruangbin. It would be a disservice to miss out on this group, anyone who is a fan of Khruangbin or related artists is sure to find a new addition to their playlist.
As I stood in line to get into KEMBA Live! I found myself being misted by the remnants of the violent thunderstorm that just swept through Columbus. As the quarter-sized raindrops ceased their journey from cloud to ground, the sun illuminated the journey to will call. Those waiting in line were gifted a program for Khruangbin’s A LA SALA Tour, which was named as such after their recent release. The program was pleasantly surprising; I had never seen a touring act provide a pamphlet with their songs and lyrics, much less on cardstock. Prior to the start of the show, I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Khruangbin’s tour photographer, Jackie Lee, who is arguably one of the most talented photographers of our time. Her claims to the breathtaking production I was about to experience were certainly true, and I would soon bear witness to the creative genius that is Khruangbin and their production team’s incredible work.
As the sets began to change, plumes of fog started permeating the theater. The faint haze peppered with hints of patchouli and citronella, it’s impossible to feel anything other than tranquil. Fans of all ages dress straight out of the 70s, embracing the new wave of psychedelia. “Leezy” Laura Lee, bassist of Khruangbin, is a music and fashion icon, and quite the safety advocate. Before taking the stage in all their grandeur, Lee speaks from backstage, encouraging us to keep each other safe. The trio plays their new album A La Sala in its entirety from start to finish in the first portion of the show. The boom of Laura’s flat wound strings can be felt, heard, and almost seen from every corner of the venue, as well as the signature twang of Mark Speer’s Stratocaster, and the human metronome himself, DJ Johnson. The pocket was unwavering, and the only pauses were due to the heat and humidity that took down multiple fans, in response to which the band immediately stopped mid-song to ensure the safety of their fans. Other favorites such as María También and People Everywhere (Still Alive) rounded out the night of spectacular performance. My respect for Khruangbin has tripled, and the genuine care for their fans is refreshing. Despite the several incidents along the way, Khruangbin and venue staff made sure that everyone had the best possible experience. Even though weather conditions were at times less-than-ideal, the production was a class act. I am thrilled that the musical airplane landed for an experience in central Ohio, and recommend attending one of their remaining shows on the tour, and future tours alike.