The FNKLRDZ reigned over 9:30 Club for back-to-back sold out shows last week. Chromeo’s Frequent Flyer Tour brought us a power-punch-of-funk performance, with one of our favorites kicking things off in a very wavy way.

Wave Racer opened the unusually early show with his signature “sooo waAaAavvyyy” style and spun through some of his genres coolest tracks. It was pretty easy to tell who in the crowd was already a true blue fan of this Aussie, knowing every line to “The Dofflin,” and squealing in glee to their neighbors when the opening beats to his mix of Foster the People’s “Best Friend” came around. It wasn’t much of a visual performance, as the stage behind him was already prepped for Chromeo (glass and chrome just waiting to get lit up), but all parts of your ears were screaming, “More, more, more!”

Let’s be transparent here: Wave Racer reduced a couple of contributors to theMUES much-too-obviously to fangirls — no fancy staging effects required. Even for those who were at their first Wave Racer show, everyone could see how he is one of the best out right now, leading a new wave of electro (no pun intended). Need more proof? Just start scrubbing through Soundcloud, and you will get a quick idea of what we mean. More than 86,000 followers can’t be wrong. In a rockin’ 40-minute set, it ended far too soon, and he was off the stage at 9 p.m.

Between the performances, we were treated to Duck Sauce’s “Duck Tape” released last October. It’s no accident that A-Track of Duck Sauce is little brother to Chromeo’s Dave 1, is it?

Now, let’s talk about Chromeo. This Canadian duo, made up of Dave 1 and P-Thugg, are equal parts talented musicians and wildly entertaining performers. The D.C. shows, the third stop on the tour, really showcased that. This was not an electro-show for candy ravers, this was a show for fans who wanted to get wet with Chromeo’s funk spectacle.

Starting with the first song when they took center stage, with Dave 1 wielding a red, leather moto-jacket and the most reflective guitar ever made, the crowd was electrified. Everyone was chanting CHROMEO-EEOO-OH, CHROMEO-EEOO-OH, CHROMEO-EEOO-OH. Chromeo already had the entire place captivated.

“I’m remembering the first time we performed here,” reminisced Dave 1. “Back then, we had a song called, ‘Bonafied Lovin.’”

P-Thugg played the more strong, silent character of the two, but we know he’s vital to the FNKLRDZ– balancing Dave-1’s showmanship with his work on the keys and talkbox.

Between the signature pairs of luminescent stage legs, the horizontal and vertical lights beaming a checkered effect on the stage, and the kooky crowd involvement, the show was continuous funk and awe.

“I think we have the shoulders covered. We have the clapping covered. Now let’s try some singing,” coaxed Dave 1, leading into the Business Casual track “Don’t Turn the Lights On.” Of course, everyone had already been singing the whole time.

This seemed like it was the closing song. It seemed like this is where the night was going to wrap up. But after some persistent chanting and clapping from the crowd, Chromeo returned to the stage to teach us a little bit about dancing. A two step, side to side.

Ultimately, their last song was “Jealous (I Ain’t With It)” which has been helping sell hard cider in TV-commercials this summer. But can they help if this tune is crazy catchy? It’s not the first time their music has been used for commercials — most recently, their appearance in the Samsung Milk Music ad. These guys are smart, sexy, and put on a show that you want to replay over and over and over.

Imagine our excitement when we continued the Chromeo-induced high when their new video for “Old 45’s” was released the next day! Yes, it’s featuring another favorite band of ours, HAIM.

If Wave Racer was the night’s foreplay, Chromeo was the sex. And everyone left smiling and satisfied.

Article by Cristina Rayas – Photos by Toby Mues