It’s difficult to categorize Canadian duo Chromeo’s musical genre. Do they make electronic music? Pop? Funk? The truth is, they’re all of those and more. That’s what makes the prospect of a Chromeo show so intriguing.
Chromeo, comprised of frontman Dave 1 (David Macklovitch) and “sound man” P Thugg (Patrick Gemayel), has been making music together since the early 2000s. It released its first album “Fancy Footwork” in 2007, and the album solidly set the tone for the type of music the two have continued to make in the years since.
In May 2014, Chromeo released its latest album “White Women.” The lead single, “Jealous (I Ain’t With It),” has been the group’s largest mainstream success, by far. The song went platinum in Macklovitch’s and Gemayel’s native country Canada — they met in Montreal — and “White Women” debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 album charts.
The lyrics to a Chromeo song are often basic but catchy, typically about loving or losing a woman. The funky harmonies that P-Thugg pieces together on his electronic equipment keep the crowds grooving to their songs at shows.
For those lucky enough to have snagged a ticket to one of Chromeo’s two sold-out shows at 9:30 Club on Sept. 29 or 30, expect a roaring dance party. The show may slow down a bit for songs like “Lost on the Way Home” off of “White Women,” but one can only hope that the up-tempo songs that dominate all three of Chromeo’s albums will dominate the set. Fans can also dream of some special guests, like Solange Knowles, who sings on the aforementioned “Lost on the Way Home” and “When the Night Falls” from Chromeo’s 2010 album “Business Casual.” Who knows: Dave 1’s real-life brother, world-famous DJ A-Trak, might even make an appearance, as the siblings often work together on creating their signature songs.
Because it’s not entirely fair to daydream about who may or may not make a surprise appearance at either show, it’s best to stick to what is predictable: Chromeo will put on a funky show that will make even the shyest audience members let loose.
Chromeo and their opener Wave Racer will play 9:30 Club on Sept. 29 and 30. Both shows are sold out. Doors open at 7 p.m. You can stream Chromeo’s full discography on Spotify.
