Night one in a hometown is likely never just another gig, and for STS9, the first of two shows in Atlanta felt less like a tour stop and more like a family gathering with subwoofers.
Advance sales for Friday trailed behind Saturday, but by showtime the crowd had swelled with walk up purchases, filling The Eastern nearly to capacity. The venue proved an ideal host, with its expansive floor, pristine sight lines and immersive lighting and sound. Nearly full is often the sweet spot for STS9 fans. Many were content to sway and groove in place, while the open pockets along the perimeter offered just enough space for those eager to more fully express themselves or dance with partners.
STS9 describes its sound as post rock dance music, often labeled livetronica. There is no DJ steering the night as in EDM. Every note is played live, frequently routed through electronic processing. Songs stretch, morph, and evolve according to crowd energy and the chemistry on stage. The band leans into progressive exploration, gradually building grooves over ten or even twenty minutes through rhythmic shifts and thematic development that can dissolve into a hypnotic flow. Unlike many jam bands, there are no obvious solo spotlights. Instead, funk bass lines and downtempo pulses anchor the music, and each member contributes equally to the unfolding journey.
The first set felt unhurried and patient, the crowd getting into it, elevating toward its closing moments. Early in the second set, multi-colored lasers ignited, slicing geometric shapes above and below the crowd. The visual surge matched the musical lift, heightening an already buoyant atmosphere.
What stood out most was the communal ease of it all. Fans young and old filled the space, trading stories with strangers about their first STS9 show, and even some kids (with ear protection!) were there to see their parents’ favorite band.
The warming weather set the stage for a hot Friday night at The Eastern, hands in the air, hips shaking and high spirits up to the midnight close. This was a great lineup with Lotus opening, with 3.5 hours of live music not including the breaks. Highly recommended for those who love danceable instrumental music. STS9 returns to stages from VT to TX in April.
Lotus, a perfect pairing. More “livetronica,” but with more frequent riffs, more immediate, perhaps brighter and still dance forward. Many fans were here to see them, but everyone into this type of music should know that arriving fashionably late isn’t an option. Atlanta showed!
