SOFI TUKKER at the Paramount Theater
We’re not surprised that the dance music sensations SOFI TUKKER have been playing larger venues each time we’ve seen them. Their initial success with the unique “Drinkee” has only been followed by more and more hits that they make seem so easy to write. From the first time we caught them at the packed Crocodile room to a now sold-out Paramount Theater, they seem to have made success look extremely fun and done on their own terms.
Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern have created a space for their fans to completely express themselves and their latest album, WET TENNIS, further established that. I remember in the early days of the pandemic when they started to host livestreams, how happy that made me feel. Who can ever forget the tune they wrote, “When the Rona’s Over?” The FreakFam was created through all of that and even when they stopped a year or so later the idea kept going uniting so many fans around the world in such a weird time. We were thrilled to finally be a part of the Wet Tennis Tour that was originally scheduled for last June but had to be moved out.
The show started with Anabel Englund, who I discovered through SOFI TUKKER’s livestream in 2020. I really like that her tracks remind me of the earlier dance/pop days with good vibe music and heartfelt lyrics. Her debut, Messing with Magic, was on repeat towards the end of that year and I still enjoy listening to it so much. Highlights from her set were “Picture Us,” Underwater,” “So Hot,” and newer, “Need Me Right.” Englund scored four number one hits on U.S. dance radio and I’m sure she could successfully headline her own show next time she’s in town.
Before the main act took the floor a couple of dancers from Bob’s Dance Shop came out and warmed up the crowd with some moves. They have been touring with the duo over the last year or so and they have been an amazing addition to the performance. We were also very excited to see them in action with the rest of the show.
It was time for SOFI TUKKER to take over the historic theater and the first track, “Energia,” set the mood for the rest of the show. They ran back and forth across the large stage singing with fans projecting the vibe of the energizer bunny. Of course, the FreakFam took it all in enjoying every second of the night. They continued with “Best Friend,” “Original Sin,” “Kakee,” and “Awoo,” which is still accompanied by its original dance routine.
The stage set up resembled a tennis court with multiple high-rise platforms along with a couple of stands full of tennis balls that served as props but were also thrown to the crowd during one of the songs. There was also a scoreboard and a screen behind them, and they used it to joke that it was for us against Portland (we won).
During the middle of their set, we had surprise guests come out including Seattle’s own guitarist Jimmy James, Sherik on saxophone and the band’s longtime manager Justina Flash on keyboard for “Brazilian Soul.” This was a highlight of the night seeing them collab on stage all together for this magical tune. SOFI TUKKER continued with “Wet Tennis,” “House Arrest,” “Larry Bird,” and anthem “Purple Hat,” which closed their main setlist.
They returned for their massive hit, “Drinkee,” that is still such a fan favorite, and the surprise addition of their remix of the “White Lotus,” theme song. What a great night to be a part of and witness the continued rise of this amazing live duo. There is no way you are leaving a SOFI TUKKER show without feeling energized and in a great mood. Once again, we danced to our favorite tracks in a room full of people who we all felt close to.
Photos and words: @s.barkalakis
