CONCERT REVIEW: Caribou at Union Transfer, 11/13


I’m going to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of seeing shows at the Union Transfer. The security there is sometimes a bit touchy-feely, there’s always some random fan girl twirling all up in my space, and, well, let’s just say Molly seems to be plentiful. Last night, when I went to see DJ Caribou, all of those things were in place, but I didn’t even notice because the show was absolutely explosive. Both acts that performed took me to another place that was worlds away from the Union Transfer and the twirling sister at my side.

Kicking off the cold and snowy (!) evening, was electrified indie diva Jessy Lanza, whose sound is a mix of Kiesza with just a dash of Lorde. I didn’t know much about this boombastic chanteuse, but after hearing her amped up tracks “Kathy Lee,” “Against The Wall,” and “Keep On Movin” blowing out the speakers, I’m a bonafide fan. Her album Pull My Hair Back is an electrified dream come true, sounding even more plugged-in live and center stage.

Caribou began by playing tracks from his shimmering Our Love—from the album’s title track to “Silver” to “Odessa” and my personal favorite “Can’t Do Without You.” Even on softer tracks, like “Dive,” “Back Home,” and his duet with Ms. Lanza, “Second Chance,” there wasn’t a moment that Caribou and his crew weren’t connecting to the crowd and on-point throughout the entire evening. It was a great show.