Khruangbin lays down smooth grooves at First Avenue

First Avenue proved to be the perfect venue to see the hot-on-the-scene instrumentalists Khruangbin. A move up to the mainroom at First Avenue was warranted after selling out the Turf Club in St. Paul last spring, and the three-piece band from Houston, TX played a stellar smooth-grooving show to a near-capacity crowd.

Influenced heavily by Thai and Middle Eastern music, the sound Khruangbin puts out is hypnotic and universal and I can’t help but think of how good it would fit into a Quentin Tarantino film. Guitarist Mark Speer’s busy left hand stands out, but only because bassist Laura Lee and drummer Donald Johnson lay such a funky and solid rhythm foundation. On this night at First Avenue, the band put on a wonderful performance and the crowd ate it up until the very end.

“Maria Tambien” from the band’s second album Con Todo El Mundo was ultra groovy, and “August 10” allowed plenty of space of Speer to blast out psychedelic sounds. Even more so than their Turf Club performance, Khruangbin flowed together organically as a band and it was incredible to witness live.

After also opening for Leon Bridges at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Khruangbin has been no stranger to the Twin Cities in 2018. And after their beautiful show at First Avenue, it’s my guess they won’t be gone long. I love this band and can’t wait to see them again.