Khruangbin Brought Its Atmospheric Music to Downtown Miami

On Saturday, April 19, at around 8:45 p.m., Khruangbin took the stage at the FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park on a windy evening. With smoke, lighting, and the Ferris wheel in the background, the venue made for the perfect setting to watch the band churn out its psychedelic, surf-rock sounds. Being a sold-out show meant the crowd filled every conceivable space in the amphitheater. The band's name means "airplane" in Thai, so a plane zooming over downtown during the trio's set felt like kismet.

Known for blending different musical genres, Khruangbin had everyone tapping their feet along to the chill vibes as they performed songs like "White Gloves," "Pon Pón," and "A Love International." As the set progressed, the band fluidly transitioned from one song to the next, most of which were purely instrumental or featured very little in the way of vocals.

Already a fan favorite, bassist and singer Laura Lee stole the show with her outfit, which consisted of a pink beret and a voluminous tulle skirt over her flowy pants. Meanwhile, Mark Speer kept the audience engaged with his guitar riffs, and DJ Johnson's steady drumming complemented the evening's mellow tone. The trio transformed the open-air amphitheater into an intimate jam session, where the band improvised together at some points, displaying their natural chemistry under full public view.

Toward the end, Lee and Speer danced across from each other, simulating a duel. Every so often, they would smile and glance at each other as if almost in conversation with each other musically.

Naturally, tracks like "August 10" and "So We Won't Forget" were particular standout moments, with the crowd swaying to the soulful synths. "Ooh, one to remember/Writing it down now/So we don't forget" was emblematic of the night, with concertgoers wanting to savor the moment for just a bit longer. One of the songs even had a nice rain and thunder interlude that accompanied "May Ninth." Lee, behind the window, slowly faded into the foreground.
The crowd danced and cheered toward the end of the set as Khruangbin performed "Maria También" and "Pelota." Both songs are among the band's most energetic offerings, especially compared to the lullaby-like rhythms featured on the band's latest album, A La Sala. The energy shift was so notable that a couple even started salsa dancing in their row.

The lyrics from "Pelota" also feel like a reflection of the crowd's desire to keep the show going — "No quiero corer de este paseo" ("I don't want to run away from this walk").

The crowd all waited for the encore, which featured a cover of Kool & the Gang's "Summer Madness" and fan-favorite "People Everywhere (Still Alive)." The trio left the stage as the final notes echoed into the night, leaving behind a last soft guitar note. Everyone had taken part in the dreamlike journey and was now asked to step off the plane. Luckily, Khruangbin's atmospheric adventure will stay with you forever.

Khruangbin's Miami Setlist

- "Fifteen Fifty‐Three"
- "May Ninth"
- "Ada Jean"
- "Farolim de Felgueiras"
- "Pon Pón"
- "Todavía Viva"
- "Juegos y Nubes"
- "Hold Me Up (Thank You)"
- "Caja de la Sala"
- "Three From Two"
- "A Love International"
- "Les Petits Gris"
- "White Gloves"
- "August 10"
- "So We Won't Forget"
- "Lady and Man"
- "The Infamous Bill"
- "Pelota"
- "Evan Finds the Third Room"
- "Time (You and I)"
- "María También"

Encore
- "Summer Madness" (Kool & the Gang cover)
- "People Everywhere (Still Alive)"