Review: Lotus at Union Transfer Philly 12/30/2024
Words: Rita Thompson
image via Lotus / Alex Grande Photography
Lotus has built a reputation for creating immersive live experiences where the audience can truly lose themselves in the music. And on the first of their two-night run at Union Transfer, they certainly delivered.
Opening with “Sid,” the band’s ability to weave between genres was on full display, blending funk grooves with electronic textures that were rich and layered. It wasn’t about showcasing technical prowess – though they have that in heaps – rather, it was about creating a distinct journey by guiding the crowd without forcing the experience.
In true jam form, each song flowed into the next, with tracks like “Tar Pits” morphing into open-ended jams that let the music breathe. “Electric Orange,” with its deep, funky grooves, shifted into the more spacey vibes of “Nematode,” where the electronic elements took center stage,
As much as I could talk about the technical side of this performance, though, I think the real story here isn’t just in the musical progression, but in how the crowd responded. A blend of rave-influenced electronic fans and dedicated jammers, the show allowed fans from different communities to let go of any distinctions and be exactly who they were. It wasn’t flashy or intense, but rather, evolving journey that took the crowd through different sonic spaces without ever feeling rushed. Some danced with abandon, others stood lost in the sound, but there was no “right” way to experience it. Everyone followed the shift in their own way, but there was a collective understanding that it was okay to to move, to feel, to let the music pull you in whichever direction felt right.
One of the more notable moments from the show came when Lotus played their take on Todd Terje’s “Inspector Norse.” The familiar disco anthem didn’t stay in its original form for long before transitioning into a long, atmospheric jam. The second set was a continuation of this mood, exploring deeper, more ambient textures. The crowd seemed content to let the music guide them, not rushing to find the next peak but staying engaged in the experience, following wherever the sound took them. The mix of tension and release left little room for stagnance — no one was rushing to leave, but no one was standing still either. It was an engagement that felt quiet, yet intense.
In the end, Lotus delivered what they do best — a natural, comfortable space where everyone could simply enjoy being part of the same experience. In a world that constantly pressures us to perform, to be something for others, it offered rare space to connect, to let go, and to exist in a moment without judgment. If that’s something that sounds good to you, they’ll be on tour until March.
Opening with “Sid,” the band’s ability to weave between genres was on full display, blending funk grooves with electronic textures that were rich and layered. It wasn’t about showcasing technical prowess – though they have that in heaps – rather, it was about creating a distinct journey by guiding the crowd without forcing the experience.
In true jam form, each song flowed into the next, with tracks like “Tar Pits” morphing into open-ended jams that let the music breathe. “Electric Orange,” with its deep, funky grooves, shifted into the more spacey vibes of “Nematode,” where the electronic elements took center stage,
As much as I could talk about the technical side of this performance, though, I think the real story here isn’t just in the musical progression, but in how the crowd responded. A blend of rave-influenced electronic fans and dedicated jammers, the show allowed fans from different communities to let go of any distinctions and be exactly who they were. It wasn’t flashy or intense, but rather, evolving journey that took the crowd through different sonic spaces without ever feeling rushed. Some danced with abandon, others stood lost in the sound, but there was no “right” way to experience it. Everyone followed the shift in their own way, but there was a collective understanding that it was okay to to move, to feel, to let the music pull you in whichever direction felt right.
One of the more notable moments from the show came when Lotus played their take on Todd Terje’s “Inspector Norse.” The familiar disco anthem didn’t stay in its original form for long before transitioning into a long, atmospheric jam. The second set was a continuation of this mood, exploring deeper, more ambient textures. The crowd seemed content to let the music guide them, not rushing to find the next peak but staying engaged in the experience, following wherever the sound took them. The mix of tension and release left little room for stagnance — no one was rushing to leave, but no one was standing still either. It was an engagement that felt quiet, yet intense.
In the end, Lotus delivered what they do best — a natural, comfortable space where everyone could simply enjoy being part of the same experience. In a world that constantly pressures us to perform, to be something for others, it offered rare space to connect, to let go, and to exist in a moment without judgment. If that’s something that sounds good to you, they’ll be on tour until March.
Watch Sid -> Electric Orange from Union Transfer 12.30.24
