by Donte Kirby
Photo by Donte Kirby
Dancing dancing dancing. Avan Lava along with El Malito and the 33rd Century turned the audience at MilkBoy into dancing machines.
South Philly’s El Malito and the 33rd Century kicked off the evening with a Latin infused alternative hip hop sound. Before he went into a single rhyme, El Malito let the crowd know a few things. He was proud to announce he was a new father (as he should be!) and how we all should be proud of Ireland’s decision to legalize gay marriage (we are!). Socially conscious threads were consistent through out all of the band’s songs.
There were as many songs in Spanish as there were in English for El Malito and the 33rd Century. The DJ’s use of a drum gave songs an extra kick to get the people in the audience moving. If the punch of the drums couldn’t get the crowd going, the band’s foreground dancer Molly Electro Jackson and her mesmerizing hips would.
What hips Latin poly rhythms couldn’t grab, Avan Lava’s fun loving disco vibe did. From start to finish, the New York based four piece had the crowd shaking what their mommas gave them.
Avan Lava’s first performance in Philly was punctuated with choreographed dances by the band’s two singers and confetti gun shenanigans. Their performance doubled as a party with the most fun people you know. Strobe lights a plenty and inhibitions tossed to the wind, with Avan Lava there was only the music and the dance floor.
Avan Lava’s Make It Real EP was released in March. The six tracks are sure to get you movin’ this summer, but the listening experience can only hold you over for so long. This is a band that needs to be seen live! Keep an eye on their tour dates at www.avanlava.com and listen in the meantime here.
