Welcomed with a room-filling “VULFPECK, VULFPECK” chant, the self-described “half-Jewish post-geographic rhythm section formed in Southeast Michigan” stepped into the light of a Monday night like seasoned professionals: adorned meticulously with tank tops and gym shorts, dramatic fist pumps galore.

The band introduced themselves with ‘Conscious Club’ before a breakthrough ‘Outro’ that let each member of Vulfpeck shine in their respective “modular” instruments, Jack Stratton, Theo Katzman, Woody Goss, Joe Dart. With Brooklyn’s own Richie Rodriguez as an all-night guest, the band raged the stage in style, bringing us all into a ‘Fugue State.’

With lots of Long-Island shout-outs, high school memoirs, and stories of ass-beatings, the rotating instrumentalists proved their performances can be just as tight as their studio compositions. 

Amidst the percussive ambience and in describing a small deli in Northern California, Stratton explains: “We try to keep things econo and lean,” before jumping right into the Jackson 5 cover ‘I Want You Back’ and into ‘Adrianne + Adrienne’ and ‘It Gets Funkier’, featuring Adam Deitch. With people gleefully screaming “what the funk” throughout the explosive kicks and snares, the Lettuce percussionist sent mutual compliments to Vulfpeck in a brilliant sea of rhythm and grooves. Praise was given to legendary Bobby Deitch after the ultimate funk exchange took place.

The Motet, Medeski Martin & Wood, And Vulfpeck Are All Performing At Red Rocks Together

Then there was ‘Beastly’… Can I get a hallelujah for Joe Dart? With bass lines soaring from traditional 60’s Motown to a neck-breaking, head-snapping, and rip-roaring, almost psychedelic funkitude, I can’t help but wonder how many love letters he has in his “back pocket” (a pocket so deep, you can practically drown in it).

Antwaun Stanley finally joined the mass for a high-energy, crowd-fulfilling ‘Funky Duck’ into a soul-packing ‘1612’, then the ensemble introduced a cover, written by King Floyd, that they learned just hours before their performance called ‘Groove Me.’ Full of love, and full of wishes, ‘Groove Me’ was romantically and flirtatiously placed, leaving a good taste in every one’s mouth. Slowing it down for a fan-favorite and sing-a-long ‘Wait For The Moment’, the Michigan native’s voice will undoubtedly continue to give us all of the chills (and all of the thrills).

Monday night’s Brooklyn Bowl crowd got quadruple-encored in the face, ending where the night started, back to the future with ‘Outro’ and a stunning final bar/bow from Eddie Barbash on saxophone, of Jon Batiste’s Stay Human band (and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert). The night ended in glory, with music nerds wiping tears from their faces on the way out of what was truly an exceptional experience.

 

Setlist: Vulfpeck at Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY – 11/23/15

Set: Conscious Club, Outro, Fugue State, My First Car, I Want You Back, Adrianne + Adrienne**, It Gets Funkier**, Rango, Pack Pocket, Beastly, Funky Duck*, 1612*, Groove Me*, Wait For The Moment*, Christmas In LA

Encore: Caldwell, Speedwalker->Oh What A Night->Skymall-> Outro***

*w/ Antwaun
**w/ Adam Deitch
*** w/ Eddie Barbash

[Photos By Evan Pragliola And Rachel Ana Dobken]