PHOTOS: Sylvan Esso and Local Natives show gratitude at the Greek
Sylvan Esso performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021. Adam Pardee/STAFF.
BERKELEY — Sylvan Esso took took over the Greek Theatre on Thursday during the second stop of its Shaking Out The Numb Tour.
Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn wore their hearts on their sleeves in a music video for “Numb” that coincides with the tour. The video illustrates pandemic-related themes with Sylvan Esso packing up instrument and gear cases as it prepared to hit the road for the first time in more than a year and a half. The duo released third album Free Love in September 2020 and finally had an opportunity to play those songs in front of fans.
Meath dressed in futuristic fashion, wearing an outfit that included what looked like body-shaped cargo netting, and set the dreamy mood as she and Sanborn (in… pajamas?) started off with “What If,” “Ferris Wheel” and “Train.”
Sylvan Esso.
Attendees danced during “Kick Jump Twist” and “Hey Mami.” Sylvan Esso performed “Rooftop Dancer” on a separate platform at the back of the stage with a spotlight lighting up Meath. The pinnacle of the night was “Radio” with its fast-moving arpeggiating melody, bass-pumping rhythm and faster tempo. It had both Meath and Sanborn kicking the air, pumping their fists and headbanging alongside fans. The latter part of the set included fan favorites “Coffee” and “H.S.K.T.”
Local Natives only made one appearance on sylvan Esso’s tour, and that happened to be in Berkeley.
Local Natives.
The band seemed loose on stage yet tight musically. Cell phones lit up the crowd for its latest single, “Lemon.” That preceded some material off the band’s debut album, Gorilla Manor, such as “Airplanes.”
Meath appeared to sing “Dark Days” with Local Natives, recreating their partnership on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in March 2020, just days before everything shut down.
Local Natives closed their set with heavy-hitting songs “When Am I Gonna Lose You” and “Who Knows, Who Cares.”
Samia.
Samia, backed by a quartet, opened the show, pouring out her emotions on “Is There Something In The Movies.” She danced around the stage in a long bright red dress. At one point she lied down on the stage, kicking the air. A cover of “Barracuda ” had her drummer standing as the crowd screamed in excitement.
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- Sylvan Esso performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Sylvan Esso performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Sylvan Esso performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Sylvan Esso performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Sylvan Esso performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Local Natives perform at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Samia performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Samia performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Samia performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Samia performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Samia performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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- Samia performs at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley on Sept. 9, 2021.
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