Phoenix — Sept. 26 was a night of subversive grooves and genre hopping at the Valley Bar, as Pachyman headlined with support from MNDSGN and Gabriel de la Rosa. At 7 p.m., de la Rosa opened the show with his music having a smooth, inviting feel. Playing in the bossa nova style, a laid-back variant of samba, his set was warm and suave, bringing an air of sophistication to what is normally a casual underground space and providing a relaxed introduction to the night for the audience. His breezy, enveloping grooves were at odds with the dark, cozy setting at Valley Bar. It was a vibe that alternately felt dreamy and intimate.
By 7:40 p.m. with MNDSGN taking the stage, the energy there shifted again. The Los Angeles-based producer folded R&B, psychedelia and beat-driven atmospheres into an introspective but still insanely grooving set. His willful experimental soundscapes asked the audience to lean in and listen while keeping them on their feet. The revolving maroon and purple lights that passed over the room added to the hypnotizing performance.
The venue buzzed with anticipation when Pachyman took the stage. Described as a modern powerhouse when it comes to what he creates with dub reggae, Pachyman certainly proved his reputation Saturday night, bringing vintage-inspired soundscapes and moody vibes to every corner of Valley Bar. With a band, he blended heavy bass lines, metronomic drumming and echoey keys into a set that was at once easygoing and timeless, bridging the past and present of dub reggae.
Behind the drums, his face would sometimes turn toward complete musical abstraction. His eyes closed, synchronized with rhythm and vibing to each downbeat. On the stronger numbers he jumped up from his kit to jump around and engage each group directly, a piercing corridor of intersectional artistry as he fed off their energy, even as they fed off his.
Fans swayed, cheered and broke out in the occasional dance. The chemistry between the musicians was seamless, locking into beats that paid homage to dub traditions while propelling them forward in new directions. The underground Valley Bar’s low ceiling and moody lighting contributed to making the show feel as intimate as if everyone in attendance had just received a secret invitation.
It was just an exciting atmosphere throughout the entire night to observe and be a part of. From De la Rosa’s sugar-smooth bossa nova to MNDSGN’s genre-less beats and Pachyman’s dub-drenched finisher, the night gave us exactly what we were promised on the flyer. The whole show was an aural adventure.
This was Pachyman’s second stop on the U.S. leg of his tour. He will continue touring throughout the country, and fans can click here to check out his tour dates.