Khruangbin have been on an absolute tear since releasing Con Todo El Mundo last year (via Dead Oceans & LateNightTales), playing what seems like non-stop shows across the world. The album was one of 2018’s best and they’re keeping that momentum going by continuing their stellar tour into 2019. On the first night of their summer tour, the band stopped by for their first time at The Capitol Theatre just a day before their Central Park SummerStage show for an extremely special show. Kicking things off for the night was Karina Rykman who delivered one hell of an opening set (but we’ll get to that in a minute).
Karina Rykman is a project by you guessed it, Karina Rykman that is a solo project but when touring, a trio. We’ve heard good things about her and we were excited to catch her set. The band opened with something a little quieter and subdued, something almost Khruangbin would play but after that, it felt like the band literally turned the volume knobs up and somebody told them “don’t hold back.” They let loose and went into an all-out jam-session that had the crowd on their toes the entire set. The highlight was the cover of Wilco’s “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” that came towards the middle of their set, that sounded like the lovechild of Tame Impala and Wilco, which strangely worked. We can’t wait to see more from Rykman, as we know she’ll be around again very, very soon!
The minute I heard “A Calf Born In Winter” off of Bonobo’s LateNightTales compilation album from 2013, I’ve been hooked to Khruangbin ever since and have been loving every release they’ve made, even the “Christmastime Is Here” cover they released last year. They’ve released what feels like a constant stream of music since 2013 whether it is a one-off single, an EP, full LP or other singles. They are coming off of an amazing year filled with praise and sold-out shows, which is all 100% deserved. Just like their music, their live show keeps evolving and growing and keeps getting better and better. This show lived up to that statement with an impressive light rig behind them (that was not used on their last tour) with the addition of twelve… yes, twelve disco balls. The twelve disco balls added an amazing layer of movement to the show that filled the venue with an amazing light spectacle.
Going into this show, I had a sneaking suspicion that the band would do something special and my thoughts were proven true as in the middle of the first set, guitarist Mark Speer told the crowd “we’re going to do something we’ve never done before. We’re going to play both of our albums in full” which then got an absolutely massive cheer from the crowd. They played Con Todo El Mundo in full as the first set, walked off stage, then came back and performed The Universe Smiles Upon You. Without any covers, other singles off of any other EP’s, they triumphantly and flawlessly played straight through both albums in order. The one thing that was missing from the set (that I have seen them do every time I’ve seen them play) was the hip-hop medley that they usually play towards the end of the first set. While it was missed, I appreciate that they’re mixing the setup and doing different things as getting to hear both LP’s in full was something I wasn’t expecting at all (especially getting to hear some of those songs they never play).
The band seems to only be getting bigger and bigger, and I can’t help but feel happy and proud of them. They started small and have been growing a massive fanbase all through word of mouth and letting their music do all the talking. It’s impressive to see all the hype and praise surrounding them and has me hopeful that even more new music is on the horizon (besides the dub remix, or, rethinking of Con Todo El Mundo that will be released later this year). We’re excited to see what’s next for the band because whatever it will be, count us 100% on board.
Find a full gallery of photos from opener Karina Rykman, as well as a full gallery and setlist from Khruangbin below.
Karina Rykman:
Khruangbin:
Khruangbin’s setlist:
Set 1: Con Todo El Mundo
1. Cómo Me Quieres
2. Lady and Man
3. Maria También
4. August 10
5.Cómo Te Quiero
6. Shades of Man
7. Evan Finds the Third Room
8. A Hymn
9. Rules
10. Friday Morning
Set 2: The Universe Smiles Upon You
11. Mr. White
12. Two Fish and an Elephant
13. Dern Kala
14. Little Joe & Mary
15. White Gloves
16. People Everywhere (Still Alive)
17. The Man Who Took My Sunglasses
18. August Twelve
19. Balls and Pins
20. Zionsville
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