Caravan Palace at Skyway Theatre, Minneapolis (17 June 2016)

Caravan Palace Setlist Comics Lone Digger Suzy Midnight Wonderland Clash Je m’amuse 12 Juin 3049 Wonda Black Betty (Lead Belly cover) Jolie Coquine Aftermath Tattoos Brotherswing Read More Caravan Palace French seven-piece electronic big band Caravan Palace will be at the Skyway Theatre this Friday, June 17th, touring in support of their third album <|°_°|> (Le Plan Recordings). ...

In all honesty, I had no idea what to expect when I walked into the Skyway Theatre to see the Parisian seven-piece big band Caravan Palace (with Loom In Essence as opener). I knew that happenstance had handed me the opportunity to review a band… but I had no clue that this band would essentially be the Love-Child of modern Electronica and 1920’s swing, or that they would in fact, steal my heart.

Zoe Colotis

The energy was tangibly palpable, and reciprocated between the performers and the audience in a way I hadn’t seen in ages. While the colorful and deep hues of electro-waves hypnotized the crowd, the simultaneous brilliance and authentic 20’s swing overtones enlivened everyone’s bones. The audience was truly enraptured. It felt almost sacred, a subtle letting down of our collective guards. Caravan Palace immediately gave us permission to enter into celebration; a wild and yet knowing aliveness took hold, and we danced. And danced. There were so many smiles throughout the audience all night it was infectious.

Caravan Palace

I actually don’t remember attending a more fun performance. The band owned their musicianship, and engaged the crowd fully through deep and sultry solos, Charleston dance-off’s, and entire crowd jumping sessions. Front-woman Zoe Colotis playfully enticed the crowd while bassist Charles Delaporte jumped up on the speakers to get the crown going. Their electric stage presence, multifaceted performance approach, and pure joy was contagious. The crowd's energy was merely a mirrored expression of what the artists were creating: a communal experience of raw fun, excitement, and playfulness.

My feet are still tapping, my heart is still scatting, and my lips are still smiling remembering this unique performance. Caravan Palace has left their mark on this girl. Well done, well done.

Caravan Palace’s latest album <|°_°|> is out now on Le Plan Recordings.

Photo Gallery:

Caravan Palace at Skyway Theatre, Minneapolis (17 June 2016) all photos courtesy of Jayme Halbritter, jaymehalbritter.com

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