Last Wednesday, February 11, at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans, Animal Collective played a DJ set with three-fourths of the band including members, Deakin, Geologist, and Avey Tare. Panda Bear, aka Noah Lennox, the fourth member of the band just released his solo album Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper. To be honest, I was originally bummed because it was a DJ set, not a live Animal Collective show. However, it’s been a while since the group has released an album together, so it was exciting to see a performance. Avey Tare had his own project Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks in 2014. I did I have the chance to see Animal Collective at Bonnaroo in 2013 after the release of their most recent album, Centipede Hertz. It was a stellar experience, so I knew these guys wouldn’t upset.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from a DJ set, but what went down was awesome. Essentially, it was just the three members of the band jamming on stage trading off a pair of headphones, but it was great to have a chance to watch how this innovative group can create a soundscape. A full crowd came out to listen to the group’s psychedelic, experimental jams, and everyone was either dancing like mad or in an interested daze. The music was stimulating, unique, and even overwhelming, but very pleasurable. Deakin even entertained the crowd with some pretty funky dance moves.
The group will be touring through March and have been touring since last year. It’s hard to say anything really negative about the show. I mean it was a $15 DJ set put on by some very talented musicians, but I will definitely be waiting in anticipation for any upcoming live Animal Collective sets. Here’s a link to a recording of their DJ set in Los Angeles if you want to get a taste of what went down. https://www.mixcloud.com/AnimalCollectiveRadio/animal-collective-dj-set-los-angeles-53114/
-DJ Yuki