[REVIEW] Thievery Corporation Kicks Off Miami Beach Bandshell’s Summer Lineup With A Remarkable Genre-Defying Performance

Miami is known for its diverse nightlife scene, packed with premier venues that consistently host some of the world’s greatest musical talent. When it comes to outdoor concerts and immersive experiences, Miami Beach Bandshell is the cream of the crop. Located in the heart of North Beach, this concrete sanctuary launched its summer season with a bang on Friday, spearheaded by a dazzling performance from the multi-faceted band Thievery Corporation.

Founded by Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, Thievery Corporation has been a trailblazing act across all sectors of music, from electronic to rap to reggae. For almost three decades, they have advocated for cultural inclusivity and bringing together music fans from all walks of life. This has resulted in a worldwide, cult-like following toward their infectious original songs and dynamic live performances.

MIAMI BEACH BANDSHELL – THE OPTIMAL OUTDOOR VENUE

Being new residents to the South Florida region, this was our first time attending Miami Beach Bandshell, and it is safe to say that the experience was unforgettable. Situated right next to the coastal shores, the venue is surrounded by palm trees and plenty of lush grass. It is primed for bringing some chairs, some friends, and hanging out while hearing the music radiate from inside the Bandshell.

The internal setup is a large, circular, flat structure with an elevated ring on the outer edge for VIP tables and seating. On one side was the main entrance, with the other leading to a food section with delicious tacos. Besides the bars, there was a very cool activation, sponsored by Grand Marnier liqueur, where attendees who took a picture in front of their decorated pop-up would get a token that they could exchange for a free Margarita. Without hesitation, we took them up on this offer and enjoyed the tasty beverages while dancing to the start of Thievery Corporation’s set.

In addition to the spacing of the crowd, which gave each person exceedingly adequate room to dance, the lighting and audio production was immaculate. The middle of the Bandshell had a giant pole that held up a white circular cover that I assumed was to shield guests when it rains. But this was not its only purpose, as a projector shined colorful, psychedelic visuals onto the open roof. There were also stellar visuals that were displayed on each side of the stage throughout the night.

Matthew Dear Delivers A Wave Of Sonic Vibes

Opening for Thievery Corporation throughout their ongoing North America tour, Matthew Dear started off the show with a unique fusion of minimal-based house, techno, and experimental soundscapes. This fusion was often layered with his soothing live lyrics. His voice was very distinct and sultry, filled with passion and emotion. It was a refreshing way to welcome attendees as they poured into the Bandshell.

Miami Beach Bandshell, Thievery Corporation, Matthew Dear — Photo courtesy of DubEra (@dub3ra on Instagram)

Thievery Corporation Presents A Journey Across Genre

There was a bit of a wait before Thievery Corporation came on, but it was beyond worth it. It is difficult to describe the experience of their performance into words, as it is something that is best understood when you see them in action for yourself. That being said, the group was headed by a suave, tuxedo-wearing Rob Garza, who was elevated in the middle of the stage behind his mixer.

Miami Beach Bandshell, Thievery Corporation, Matthew Dear, Rob Garza — Photo courtesy of DubEra (@dub3ra on Instagram)

All across the stage, members of the band were strategically positioned to deliver the utmost sonic excellence. With drummers on each side, and multiple guitar players, there were so many layers of instrumentation woven together in each track.

Photo courtesy of DubEra (@dub3ra on Instagram)

My personal favorite was Rob Myers on the sitar. Not only did every note wash over the crowd with a flood of musical ecstasy, but this, combined with the fact that the sitar is a rarity for most bands to include, made it even more special.

The vocalists were extremely gifted as well. Of the four main singer-songwriters and rappers, each of them brought something unique to the table that heavily contributed to the overall Thievery Corporation ambiance. While one of them sang out Latin-styled vocals, another would hop on the next song to lay down an energetic verse of rap and hip-hop. Despite the multitude of genres that were represented, every song flowed effortlessly into the next, and it was even challenging at times to know when one ended and the next began.

For their three-hour performance, Thievery Corporation guided us on an adventure through music and dance. The entire crowd was zeroed in on the irresistible energy that was radiating off the collective group on stage. While there were a number of shifts in tempo and mood, Thievery Corporation clearly saved their most electrifying anthems for the last 30 minutes, which had their audience jumping up and down while roaring with excitement. After a massive cheer and shouts for an encore, they blessed us with a final song.

Speaking on his experience, South Florida resident and music fan Tyler shared, “Miami Beach Bandshell was the perfect match to listen to my first Thievery Corporation concert. The vibes were amazing with a mixed family-friendly crowd ready to jam the night away. I also thought the musical talent on display, plus the rotating cast of singers and rappers, made it a concert unlike any other.”

A nearly impossible act to follow, there was no better way to kick off the Bandshell’s summer lineup than Thievery Corporation.