Jamtronica specialists Sound Tribe Sector 9 recently treated the Northeast to an inspiring mini-run that included dates in Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. The band had not visited the Big Apple since headlining Brooklyn Comes Alive in 2022, so fans were excited for a two-night run at the edgy, industrial Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY. The run kicked off on Friday, September 13, 2024, two days after the annual Tribute in Light that takes place each year on September 11 in New York City.
The Santa Cruz, California-based quintet began the show with the high-energy 'Fires,' fresh off their new release Chromalight. 'Frequency 2 & 3' followed, with keyboardist David Phipps elevating the tune delightfully. The music then evolved into a house jam that brought guitarist Hunter Brown to the forefront of the mix.
'New Dawn, New Day' was up next and did not disappoint. This tune, from The Universe Inside, samples the powerful 'Feeling Good' by musician and activist Nina Simone. Bassist Alana Rocklin and drummer Zach Velmer were in lockstep during the high-speed, dance-friendly progression.
Percussionist Jeffree Lerner added nice touches during 'F Word,' along with more beautiful notes from Phipps on the keyboards. The jam eventually morphed into a slow-burn funk that elicited plenty of fist-pumping from the crowd. It then transitioned into the old-school tune 'Muir Soul,' which had not been played in almost twenty years and was thankfully brought back into circulation last year. Velmer showcased his incredible talent on the kit throughout this sequence, especially as the band segued into 'Modular.'
Perhaps the highlight of the first set was the raging 'Wiki Chikana' that followed. This classic STS9 original, released on their breakout album Interplanetary Escape Vehicle in 1999, continues to melt faces twenty-five years later. The deep house jam clocked in at over eleven minutes, with Rocklin unfurling the bass that drove the tune. Brown's guitar licks during the tension and release stitched this musical story together.
The slow funk of 'Enceladus' followed and transitioned into the mind-melting 'Out of the World,' another tune from The Universe Inside. The music then slid into 'Modular,' which ended the set on a high note.
The band returned for round two, which began with 'Instantly,' and the fans were quickly back to moving and grooving with elation. An ambient middle section came ripping back with more percussive goodness, courtesy of Velmer and Lerner. Another Chromalight tune followed with 'Light Reveals,' which flowed into a vibrant 'Walk to the Light.' Rocklin led the charge as the music built up to a funky peak.
A euphonious 'Move My Peeps' followed and led into a hip hop-inspired breakdown. The band responded with another older tune, 'Blu Mood,' which brought more trance funk. The bass and drums melded together for a satisfying rhythmic layer, as Phipps elevated the mood on the keys.
A fiery 'Vapors' followed, beginning with a more toned-down synth that gradually fired up throughout this sixteen-minute heater. The band was firing on all cylinders by this point and segued back into 'Modular' for the third time, completing the 'Modular' trifecta. 'GLASS z-13' jumped into the mix and transitioned into the dark 'When the Dust Settles,' ending the set with vigor.
The band returned for an encore, but before doing so, Velmer addressed the fans from atop his large amp to express the band's sincere gratitude. The show ended with another vintage STS9 tune, 'Circus.'
STS9 is on tour, and bringing the heat. Catch them next on their relative home turf at the iconic Red Rocks Ampitheater on September 29, 2024. Tickets are available via this link. They are also headlining Jam Cruise in 2025, which is very exciting. Please hop on over to their tour page for more details on the rest of their fall tour.
Check out more photos from the show!
Band: Sound Tribe Sector 9
Date: September 13, 2024
Venue: Brooklyn Steel
Set One: Fires > Frequencies Peace 2 > Frequencies Peace 3, New Dawn New Day, F. Word > Muir Soul > Modular, Wika Chikana, Enceladus > Out of This World > Modular
Set Two: Instantly, Light Reveals > Walk to the Light, Move My Peeps, Blu Mood, Vapors > Modular, GLASS z-13 > When the Dust Settles
Encore: Circus
