Sylvan Esso Performs at the Beacon Theater

Sylvan Esso’s Lead Singer Amelia Meath Greets the Crowd. (photo by Graham Tolbert)

On a chilly November night in New York City, Grammy nominated electronic pop duo Sylvan Esso performed at the Beacon Theater for an adoring crowd of avid fans. The show which was the first of two nights featured a live ensemble of musicians for a special series of shows in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and the band’s hometown, Durham, North Carolina.

It didn’t take long for the crowd to warm up and get into the groove, as lead singer Amelia Meath busted out her own slick dance moves, sporting a puffy green mesh outfit (sending a message?). Her powerful voice along with some seriously infectious beats energized the crowd inviting a party like atmosphere. Re-creating electronic music with a live band is not always an easy task, but the band was flawless, and having the saxophone up-front in the the mix was a smart choice. With that said, Amelia Meath’s amazing voice is clearly the centerpiece in their songs. At one point, in between songs, she proclaimed, ‘this next song is about love, surprise.’ On this night, she was feeling nothing but love from the energetic crowd

While most of the people were on the younger side, I did see some grey haired, older folks snapping photos and shooting videos like their younger counterparts. The fans were very engaged throughout. Singing along to many of the more popular numbers including “Hey Mami” and “Coffee,” but the set list included quite a few new songs as well. Will a new album be dropping soon? The band’s next release will be their third album.

Sylvan Esso seems to have the staying power that many electronic acts find difficult to achieve. On the strength of Meath’s voice, catchy tunes and powerful live performances, the band will continue to have a strong presence in the electronic pop music scene. If you have the chance to see them live, check them out.