Chromeo delivers quirk, funk, energy

ROTHBURY, Mich. (WOOD) - On Friday night, I was excited about the shows that I had the opportunity to cover, besides the concert that was on everybody's mind - the newly reunited String Cheese Incident.

But the younger generation at Rothbury 2009 could be heard spouting about the electro/techno/house/trance lineup.

Big names such as STS9, Chromeo and Girl Talk went all out to offer fans a late-night break from jam bands and hard rock.

Following String Cheese Incident's final set, fans poured out of The Odeum. While many may have headed back to their tents or ventured deep into the Sherwood Forest, several decided to switch up their taste buds and bite into a little electrofunk by the Montreal duo Chromeo.

These childhood friends who jokingly claim to be "the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human existence" proved to fans that the '80s are back, and in full swing.

The synth-pop, electrofunk sounds produced by Chromeo left me and the rest of the crowd in awe, and I found myself wiping the sweat from my head after an intense jam session.

Lead singer David Macklovitch, who is earning his doctorate in French literature from Columbia University, performed like a true rock star, getting the crowd on its already tired feet.

The stage added to the quirky and funky feeling of the show - it was fit with an impressive lighting rig, synthesizers and two sets of glowing legs that Macklovitch and keyboard/synthesizer P-Thugg stood behind.

An encore to the hit song "Mama's Boy" had everyone dancing, raving and ready to party late into the night.

The vibe after the show was unlike any other postshow experience that I've had at Rothbury.

The energy was evident everywhere I went. It's even what I woke up to at 8 a.m. outside my tent. Chromeo delivered an electrifying performance.