On Friday, April 24, DFA disco-rock outfit The Juan Maclean played the tiny Union Pool for the fifth show of their six show Brooklyn residency that lasted two weeks. The residency began with three shows at Cameo Gallery, and played three more last weekend at Union Pool. These were the first shows from The Juan Maclean in six years, making them a very special occasion on all accounts.
Along with brain child John Maclean, The Juan Maclean includes singer Nancy Whang (of LCD Soundsystem), keyboardist Monika Heidemann (who opened the show under her solo-moniker, Heidemann). Together they played many of their modern takes of disco with space-filled elements with dreamy synths and hypnotic vocals from Whang, whose presence in the band has never felt stronger.
This wasn’t an electronic-band that just hid behind a laptop and danced behind it. No, every member of The Juan Maclean was constant playing an instrument or contributing to vocals. This made their live performance rich and fuller sound, sending everyone jam packed into Union Pool into a glorious dance haze well into the night. The dual vocal duties split between Maclean and Whang provided an interesting contrast, but it was when they sang together that they were at their best.
The Juan Maclean are back, and better than ever. Hopefully we won’t have to wait as long for their next shows, but maybe they’ll be back again for a proper tour before we know it.
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