The Joy Theater in New Orleans was visited by some familiar faces on Thursday night, as STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) brought in fans from near and far to come dance to their unique electro-funk grooves. With roots in Atlanta, GA, STS9 has released eleven albums through their own record label, 1320 Records, and tours all over the world. Bringing in bassist Alana Rocklin has allowed this band to continually produce excellent music and breathtaking live shows.

The music, featuring elements of rock, funk, and trance, incorporates electronic effects and synths into a jam band atmosphere. Paired with the incredible visuals coordinated by STS9’s lighting and video designer, Saxton Waller, the result is one mesmerizing live dance experience. Hunter Brown (guitar/sequences), Jeffree Lerner (percussion), David Phipps (keyboards/synths), Zach Velmer (drums) and Alana Rocklin (bass) lock in each of their parts, maintaining a uniform groove that builds in energy and instrumentation within each song.

The crowd that poured in went into an uproar when Sound Tribe made their first appearance. Dropping into “20-12,” then leading straight into “Blu Mood,” the first set got the crowd warmed up, and by the opening of the second set — featuring hits like “Instantly” and “Inspire Strikes Back” — they had everybody dancing and spreading good vibes for the rest of the twenty-song show, before encoring with “Warrior.”

STS9 leaves the Crescent City after only one night, continuing their tour onwards to Austin and Dallas before returning to Georgia for the end of the year. It seems that the group has found their stride, and will continue to innovate and impress in the coming years.

Setlist: STS9 at The Joy Theater, New Orleans, LA – 11/20/15

SET I: 20-12>> Blu Mood, Wika Chikana, One A Day, Kaya, Possibilities> Oil & Water, Epirus*>> Summit

SET II: Love Don’t Terrorize>> Monkey Music^, Instantly, Surreality>> EB, The Paint>> F. Word, Inspire Strikes Back, TWELVE, World Go Round
ENCORE: Warrior

* – upright bass
^ – no intro, right into middle jam

Words By Charlie McMillan Photographs By Trent DarDar