The first time I saw Kaytranada was at a club in the West Loop, years before the West Loop became the West Loop. Even then, he easily held his own in a room. Established fans and club regulars alike were swept up in his dreamy musical landscape, which instantly felt warm, familiar, and enjoyable.
Which is why I wasn’t surprised to learn that the DJ and producer was headlining a sold-out concert at Northerly Island’s Huntington Bank Pavilion on Friday night. The crowd, made up of young and old of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and styles, was devoted to his music.
“You could be anywhere in the world, but you’re here with me,” he told the crowd. “I appreciate that.”
I’ve been listening to Kaytranada’s music for nearly a decade, but it took me until this concert to realize that much of his sonic charm is rooted in the way he constructs his world. Since he burst onto the scene, many artists have tried to replicate the musician’s hip-hop-influenced house and dance music. But what Kaytranada has created is becoming a genre all its own.
It’s the kind of music you can enjoy even if you don’t like dance music. There’s a familiarity to it that speaks to the beauty and charisma of its sound. But it also speaks to its intelligence. A lot of the songs seem simple enough to create, but it takes someone with real musical intelligence to create songs that are so immediately enjoyable.
As he took the stage to open the concert, the packed crowd whipped out their cell phones to catch a glimpse of the producer for their memories, or maybe just for social media. But thankfully, it didn’t last too long. This was a show where the audience was supposed to be dancing.
Kaytranada isn’t the kind of artist who’s going to be accompanied by a band or a gaggle of dancers. He simply stands on a raised platform with a sleek DJ setup, intergalactic video screens, and a unique light show. This is a set designed to immerse the audience in the beauty of what it means to be on the dance floor.
“Hey man, we made a dance floor for a reason. I just say that,” he told the audience at one point.
This is about freedom and escape. This is about joy and love. This is about just having fun. And Kaytranada reminded us of that throughout the show.
“This is not a concert,” he said. “This is a party.” And the audience partied.
Although he has released three albums and several EPs, and collaborated with various artists, it is Kaytranada’s handful of remixes over the years that have seemed to elicit lasting enjoyment from audiences. His remix of Janet Jackson’s 1993 single “If” had the crowd roaring with delight. The track has been a staple of the producer’s sets since the early years of his career.
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A more recent remix of Beyoncé’s “Cuff It,” from her 2022 album Renaissance, was a hit with fans, with audience members knowing all the lyrics and beats. An original production for singer Victoria Monét’s latest single, “Alright,” inspired the groups of people around me to work even harder. Two women in front of me began performing the viral choreography from the song’s music video.
Chance the Rapper’s 2016 single “All Night” was a huge favorite with the local crowd, many of whom tuned in to the rapper’s third mixtape on which the track appeared. While the crowd had only two-stepped before, they finally went wild when this song was played.
Still, he left plenty of room for tracks from his albums and EPs. His old favorites dazzled the audience, especially those in the general entrance pit. I’m thinking of songs like the anthem “10%,” from “Bubba,” or “Snap My Finger” and “Lover/Friend,” from his latest album, “Timeless.” The latter, a collaboration with singer Rochelle Jordan, was a particular highlight for listeners. And of course, there was “You’re the One,” featuring singer Syd, from his debut album, “99.9%.” The song, a breakthrough for the product, is the perfect summer groove.
But my favorite moment of the night came when he performed the song “Intimidated.” A collaboration with musician HER, the song—sonically, at least—is a slight departure from the more bass-heavy numbers he’s known for.
The audience seemed to agree with this, and some of the loudest, most piercing screams came when the song’s opening piano began. It was a light, enjoyable moment in a show filled with haunting imagery and nonstop, sweat-fueled dancing. But it was only a brief interlude. Because this is a dance party. And Kaytranada made sure you didn’t forget it. Thank goodness for that.
Britt Julious is an independent critic.
