SXSW 2012: Santigold @ Fader Fort

March 20. 2012 | By Sara Appelbaum

To witness Santigold perform is to witness balance in motion. Last Wednesday, Fader Fort hosted her highness at her perfectly poised best, and showcased her enviable ability to be and do everything at once. Both untouchable professionally and a radiantly approachable fan-lover, she gave her adoring audience a rousing tour down memory lane with “L.E.S Artists,” “Say Aha,” “Lights Out,” and invited viewers to jump onstage for “Creator.” Her selections from new album Master of My Make-Believe (including “Disparate Youth,” “GO” ft. Karen O, and “Freak Like Me”) were not only well received but also immediately recognized by an admirable number of attendees considering it dropped in late February. The tracks, like the artist, are polished kaleidoscopic gems of satisfying sound featuring hard, bass-heavy beats, melodic progressions and upbeat ska-punk cheekiness.

Add to the mix a duo of tightly coordinated, committed backup dancers who were so very right on time while costumed in a combo of ’90s at its peak/marching band finery, and you have a show that was worth the 45 minute wait in the Fader line. Do yourself a favor this year and buy tickets to her upcoming tour. Do it now.

Special treat: warm-up set by DJ Nguzunguzu

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