Can CSS be considered electronic music? Barely. Except for a few synthesizers, the band is more about live instrumentation. But it was a welcome relief to ears already tired of the bleeps and bloops that come with attending a festival like Ultra.
However, it being the first day, it seems like people weren't tired enough yet because attendance at CSS' performance was lackluster. Good thing no one told lead singer Lovefoxxx, who performed as if she were doing so in front of 10,000 people.
If you aren't familiar with the band, CSS rose to fame around 2006 on the heels of the their song "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above," a whirring ditty about making love and, er, listening to Death From Above. (Hey, nobody said CSS was about depth.) It quickly became an indie-dance staple, getting the São Paulo band signed to Sub Pop. They followed up with equally enjoyable hits like "Alcohol," "Alala," and their iPod-shilling track "Music is My Hot Hot Sex." Can't say their sophomore effort, Donkey, was the massive success as their self-titled debut, but thanks to non-stop touring, the band has remained pretty relevant.
Seeing them live only reinforces the fact that this band isn't going anywhere. The level of energy as they churned through the aforementioned tracks and more was astonishing. Lovefoxxx wasn't shy on jumping into the pit with everyone else as she asked people what their favorite "alcohol" was. (Get it?)
A band this fun just proves there is a place for live music at the festival and we'd welcome more of it if organizers decide to do so.
Oh, and one more thing: Ultra please let CSS play at Grand Central with Sleigh Bells on April 30. It's the only date on the tour that won't feature both bands due to the exclusivity contract. If you won't do it for us, at least do it for Miami -- the city needs more live music.
Setlist
-"Jager Yoga"
-"Off the Hook"
-"Left Behind"
-"I Love You"
-"Music is My Hot Hot Sex"
-"Move"
-"Alcohol"
-"Let's Reggae All Night"
-"Hits Me Like a Rock"
-"La Liberación"
-"Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above"
-"Alala"
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