Animal Collective kicks off its Painting With world tour at Union Transfer

Animal Collective | Photo by Michelle Montgomery for WXPN | michellemontgomeryphotography.com

Experimental pop outfit Animal Collective played a sold-out show at Union Transfer on Friday night. Philly was the group’s first stop on their international tour in support of their tenth studio album, Painting With, which was just released on Friday. Since it’s been four years since Centipede Hz, the crowd couldn’t wait to hear the band’s new music performed live for the very first time. As Avey Tare, Panda Bear, and Geologist delivered an upbeat and energetic set of their textured, psych-pop inspired music, the crowd cheered, moshed, and danced.

Visually, the stage was impressive. Projections of multi-colored light patterns played throughout the entire show over a cubism and Dada-inspired backdrop and stage props. The visuals definitely helped add another dimension to the cerebral, art-inspired sound of Painting With. Animal Collective closed up the set with a much anticipated performance of their hit single “FloriDada.” After a thunderous demand for more, the group returned to the stage to play a 15 minute encore and wrapped up the night with “Golden Gal.”

NYC hip-hop trio RATKING opened the show. Rapper/producer Wiki, rapper Hax, and producer/rapper Sporting Life, along with their backing band, performed a dynamic set of catchy, punk-inspired hip-hop, instantly hooking the crowd. RATKING’s debut album, So It Goes, was released in 2014.