It’s always exciting to see an artist book two back to back nights at a venue. We know the fans are packed in and excited to be there. It’s going to be a good show. When I arrived at First Ave before the opener went on, the line to enter was already lining down the block. I almost didn’t think I had given myself enough to to make it in the catch the Friday night opener, Papa Mbye. Luckily, the line moved quickly, and I was able to catch the local Minneapolis’ singers set.
It’s always exciting to see an artist book two back-to-back nights at a venue. You know the fans are packed in and excited to be there. It’s going to be a good show. When I arrived at First Avenue before the opener went on, the line to enter was already stretching down the block. I almost didn’t think I had given myself enough time to make it in to catch the Friday night opener, Papa Mbye. Luckily, the line moved quickly, and I was able to catch the local Minneapolis singer’s set.
Papa Mbye brought a welcome dose of energy to the room, warming up the crowd as more fans filtered in and found their spots on the floor. Opening for an act like Sylvan Esso is no small feat, but the local artist made for a fitting start to a night that would eventually have the entire room moving.
By the time Sylvan Esso took the stage, First Avenue was buzzing. The electronic pop duo of Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn has a knack for making music that feels both meticulously constructed and wonderfully fluid and human. Sanborn’s layered beats and pulsing production create the foundation, while Meath’s distinctive vocals bring an almost playful intimacy to the mix. Together, they make music that practically demands movement.
And move we did.
Sylvan Esso’s live show thrives on contrast. Minimalist electronic arrangements build into irresistible grooves, shifting between moments of airy, almost delicate pop and full-on dance-floor euphoria. Meath is incredible. She commands the stage with an expressive presence that feels spontaneous and precise all at once. I stand there in awe of her dance & wish she would offer the audience lessons. All the while Sanborn keeps the rhythms rolling behind her. Songs that might sound understated through headphones take on an entirely different life in a packed room, where every beat seems to travel straight to our souls.
First Avenue felt like the perfect setting for the performance. There’s something special about seeing a band with such a devoted following in a room that feels big enough for a proper dance party but intimate enough to make the whole experience feel shared. Friday night’s crowd was ready to lean into every beat, sing along, and let the music take over.
Two nights at First Avenue is a pretty good indicator that an artist has found their people in Minneapolis. Judging by the energy in the room Friday night, Sylvan Esso certainly has. And for those lucky enough to be there both nights, the weekend offered a chance to experience the kind of show that reminds you why live music is so much more than hearing your favorite songs played out loud. Sometimes, it’s about finding yourself dancing alongside a room full of strangers who somehow feel like your people.
