When I reviewed San Fermin last month, I posted it on my Facebook page and was immediately greeted with comments from friends across the United States:
“Stellar band.”
“One of my favorite live performances ever.”
“San Fermin put on one of the best live shows I've seen this year. They're amazing.”
Clearly, I was bit behind.
I caught up fast a few weeks later when I caught this absolutely stellar band live twice, first at their ACL Late Night show with my loves Alt-J, and then again inside the two-weekend festivus.
San Fermin, while fantastic on their debut album Jackrabbit (and their latest single which you should currently be streaming), is an entirely different beast upon a stage. This band is compiled of eight ablaze musicians. Listing out their names and instruments, done before, does not prepare anyone for storm of sound and electricity they ignite together.
First, you have the hypnotizing Charlene Kaye, with a mane of mermaid hair, commanding your every sense at the front of the stage. Her confidence cannot be contained by the platform and soars with her gorgeous range over the crowd. She makes you stand taller, shake your hips harder. I don’t know if I want to be her, or be her best friend. (Hell, I’ll settle for the best reviewer of the day.)
To her left you’ll find Allen Tate. Charming and reserved at the mic, he offers his handsome, unmistakable vocals as lead or support as needed.
The brainchild of this act, Ellis Ludwig-Leone, is off to the side quietly at his keyboard. I would be so bold to guess he’s often silently in awe of his fellow musicians and their power together. He should be.
Their fellow bandmates also are impossible to ignore on stage and take turns stealing the spotlight, juggling saxophones, trumpets, violins, tambourines, and synth.
I can confirm that they are one of the best live performances of the year, and were paired perfectly with Alt-J, who never ceases to astound me.
What I’m trying to say is, if San Fermin comes anywhere near your town, you need to clear your schedule. Go early. Treat yourself to top shelf. Find your mouth ajar by the end of the set.
Until that show, enjoy all their intangible offerings, starting with “No Devil.”
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