Caravan Palace Turned Brooklyn Steel into an Electro-Swing Fever Dream 

I first heard of Caravan Palace over a decade ago, thanks to a quirky college friend who insisted I watch the music video for a song called “Star Scat.” I remember being confused, charmed, and lowkey obsessed all at once. It was weird, theatrical, full of swing samples, and unlike anything else I’d ever been shown. Fast forward to April 11 at Brooklyn Steel, and seeing the band live felt like stepping into the fully realized version of that early intrigue.

Touring in support of their fifth studio album Gangbusters Melody Club, the Parisian electro-swing outfit brought a rare kind of energy to the stage. Known primarily as a trio, their live set expands to a six-piece operation, each member multitasking across instruments with an ease that makes the whole thing feel almost improvisational. It wasn’t just music—it was a multi-sensory experience with the aesthetic and movement of a dance party, the intensity of a jazz session, and the glitchy edge of a late-night club set.

Opener Zayka, the band’s touring trombonist-turned-DJ, kicked things off with an infectious set that blurred the line between DJ and live instrumentalist. He occasionally jumped in on trombone over the beats, adding a raw, live element that felt just right in a city like New York, where crowds don’t respond to phoning it in. His charm and pacing set the tone for the night without overshadowing the main act.

Once Caravan Palace took the stage, there was no slowing down. The male band members kept things simple in crisp white shirts, letting vocalist Zoé Colotis steal focus in a structured, suit-like skirt ensemble that she gradually peeled layers off of as the set progressed—mirroring the show’s increasing intensity. Colotis was magnetic, shifting between sultry, playful, and commanding—sometimes all within the same track.

The band tore through a setlist that blended new cuts like “City Cook” and “Aftermath” with crowd favorites like “Lone Digger” and the always-hypnotic “Rock It for Me.” One of the biggest crowd reactions came during their cover of “Black Betty”—as soon as the opening riff hit, the entire venue lit up, with fans instantly singing along. It was a reminder of just how wide their influence stretches, even when pulling from outside their usual repertoire.

The real highlight of the show wasn’t any one track, but the kinetic energy onstage. Band members swapped instruments mid-set (bass to electric cello, clarinet to vocals) without missing a beat. The lighting design leaned into glitchy animations and rhythmic pulses, building the kind of immersive vibe that makes you forget what time it is.

More than just a performance, the entire show felt like a huge party. From the first beat to the final encore, it was celebratory and joyous—like everyone in the room had collectively decided to leave their worries at the door. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a release. The kind of night where you look around and realize every single person is dancing, smiling, and fully in it.

While Gangbusters Melody Club is undeniably their most dancefloor-ready album to date, seeing these songs live adds another layer. The swing samples, house-inspired drops, and jazzy improvisations take on a new life when backed by that much energy and precision. Caravan Palace made Brooklyn Steel feel like a sweaty, neon-lit speakeasy from the future—and I walked out grinning, reminded of how it all started with a strange little song called “Star Scat.”