Canadian electro-funk band Chromeo recently released their 5th studio album, Head Over Heels, and are currently in the midst of their Head Over Heels Tour. The duo, comprised of David “Dave 1” Macklovitch and Patrick “P-Thugg” Gemayel, brought the tour to Louisville, KY recently and performed to a packed house of excited fans.
Having formed in 2004, Chromeo has amassed quite a fan base over the years, as evidenced by the turn out this evening. The stage set up was impressive, with two computer/keyboard stands on each side of the stage, both with silver legs that wore silver high heels for stands, a staircase at the back center of the stage and an impressive lighting set up. As Macklovitch and Gemayel came out on stage, the crowd erupted in applause as they started their set off with “Come Alive”, followed by “Don’t Sleep”, getting the crowd moving and in high spirits. The duo played a nice selection of tracks from their catalog of albums, delighting older and newer fans alike. Early in the set, Macklovitch mentioned how the band had just released their 5th album and how it was their first time in Louisville, noting how there are not a lot of cities that they perform in for the first time for their 5th album. He then sang “Night By Night” and “Tenderoni” from the band’s earlier albums, dedicating them to all of the old school Chromeo fans in the crowd. He and Gemayel made use of the entire stage many times throughout their set, often standing right next to each other and playing their guitars, or doing so at the edge of the stage, directly to the fans. They also encouraged crowd participation throughout the evening. During a slower song they asked that the house lights be dimmed and that the crowd take out their cell phones and turn on the flashlights, simulating the look of lighters in the air. At one point, Macklovitch stood at the barricade and shook hands with the fans standing there, even letting them take a few photos. Towards the end of the set, he told the crowd “This is fun! Monday night in Louisville…I like it! We’re going to try a sing-a-long now”, directing each half of the crowd in song, telling them that they seemed very participatory. He joked with a group of young men off to the side that they could be his college A cappella group! He then sang “Must’ve Been” from the new album, followed by “Jealous (I Ain’t With It)”, causing the crowd to cheer and jump up and down and sing along. As the evening drew to a close, Macklovitch thanked the crowd for having them and asked for one more favor, for everyone in the house to two step from side to side, telling them “Nobody is too cool for this!”. Asking the crowd what other new song they should play, they launched into “Room Service”, which got the crowd moving! Leaving the stage briefly, the duo came back out for a two song encore. They performed “One Track Mind” and “Sexy Socialite”, telling the fans “Louisville, we’ve had the best time with you tonight! You’ve made us so happy!”. I have no doubt that the feeling was mutual!
Miami pop artist Steven A Clark opened the show, wowing the crowd with his synth-tinged R&B with a tropical vibe, complete with lit up palm trees on each side of the stage to lend a tropical feel.
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Check out photographs of Chromeo performing in Louisville, KY by Emily May
