Lido Pimienta and Sylvan Esso
Terminal 5 // New York, NY // November 15, 2021
Photos and review by Jess Williams
On the evening of November 16th, electro-pop duo, Sylvan Esso, played their second of two shows and closed out their Shaking Out The Numb Tour at New York City’s Terminal 5. The industrial venue, situated one block east of the Hudson River, was booming with energy when I arrived that Tuesday evening. It had been over four years since the last time I saw the Durham, North Carolina-based duo perform live, and I was itching to kick, jump and twist my way through the night (See what I did there? Only true Sylvan Esso fans will get it).
Lido Pimienta
Grammy-nominated Colombian-Canadian singer/songwriter Lido Pimienta kicked off the evening. Gracing the stage in a vibrant, flowing gown with lime green wooden platform heels and luscious green velvet gloves, I was entranced. Before that evening, I’ll admit I was not familiar with Lido Pimienta and her music, but she certainly captivated the crowd that evening. Between each song, fans got a glance at Lido’s comedic personality with her humble bragging about her Grammy-nominated album Miss Colombia.
Lido played a vibrant and effervescent 45 minute set that included songs “Para transcribir (SOL)”, “Te quería” and “Eso que tú haces”. But perhaps my favorite part of Lido’s set came when she performed a song that she composed for contemporary choreographer Andrea Miller and the New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala just a couple of months earlier. With two of the dancers that are a part of the NYC Ballet in attendance, Pimienta performed the song on stage while the dancers performed their choreography in the middle of the GA pit. Surrounded by fans in awe, phones recording every moment, the yellow spotlight shone on the dancers while Pimienta’s voice radiated throughout the venue. It was a very moving and memorable experience and a fantastic way to close out her set.
Sylvan Esso
At 9:15, the lights in the venue went dark, and it was finally time for Sylvan Esso to take the stage. ½ of the duo, Nick Sanborn, took to the stage first. Wearing what looked like one of the comfiest outfits known to mankind, Sanborn assumed his position behind his keyboard and began the set with “What If,” off the duo’s most recent album, Free Love.
The energy was there throughout the night, and it never faded once, not even during the prescribed stage banter in between songs. Lead vocalist, Amelia Meath, bounced across the stage, flexing her muscles now and then and giving a wink to those in the VIP balcony above. Sylvan Esso closed out their tour with a band, performing a whopping 18 songs before pausing for a three-song encore. Some favorites from the evening included “Die Young,” “HSKT,” “Hey Mami,” “Free,” and “Play it Right.” The three-song encore consisted of a jaw-dropping combination of “Ferris Wheel” (my personal favorite off Free Love), “Rewind,” and “Make It Easy.”
Through November 16th, the performance marked the conclusion of the Shaking Out The Numb Tour and the conclusion of the band’s shows for the remainder of the year; I do hope for the opportunity to see them again in 2022! Sylvan Esso always provides fans with a night of heightened talent, extreme fun, and great music and visuals. They are always one of my favorite bands to see, and I cannot wait for the next chance to Rooftop Dance, drink Coffee, or listen to the Radio with them (I had to do the puns again — I’m sorry)!
