There’s been a ton of talk around town lately about the up and coming electronic music scene. Ever since the advent of the infamous Electrocity crew, there’s been a buzz about new types of dance music in the bluff city.
A budding act called Kaleidophonix has been making a few waves with hyped-up music and crazy stage antics. This past Saturday, they took the stage at Newby’s Memphis on Highland to show off their musical skills. I couldn’t resist getting crunk with these kids with explosive personalities, so I went with my ears eager to get rocked.
Opening act DJ Ben Murray warmed up the crowd with plenty of uptempo electro. Pimping a Memphis Tiger’s ballcap and a simple tee, his style was an able partner to his set. Sporting remixes and samples from Soulja Boy and Beachboys, his playlist was as topical as it was baller. The beat was all over the place and got the crowd more than excited for the show that was to come.
As the headlining act appeared, the crowd went crazy and as their music began, I could tell this would be a night worth writing about. Coloring the stage with crazy lights and upbeat tracks, they made fast work of being memorable. Songs ranged from three piece pop funk, glitched out hip-hop, and synthed out electro with tinges of Kraftwork and Depeche Mode. Every song fit into the setlist like stuffing in a turkey; and the stage show matched with massive intensity. Fire-eating, feather dancing, and shredding guitar solos from guest performers matched the fierce kit, piano, and beatbox work of the native members routine.
The light show was ridiculous. Blacklit neon was all over the place, bouncing the bands not-so-subtle-swag off of all the walls in the facility. All members were sporting neon suits with lighted accents and cartoony masks. As the set built from crazy beats to a subtle piano masterpieces I knew I’d gotten my money’s worth.
As the show drew to a close, they ended by blasting a new personal favorite track with the wall-shaking “Trip Happy.” The track goes in and out of vibrant trumpet work, dj sc-sc-scratching and a wicked synth hook. I was left with my jaw open and my ears wanting more. If you’re into dancing like a fool to energetic beats as much as I am, check them out on Soundcloud, and LIKE THEM ON FACEBOOK!
