Khruangbin at the O2 Apollo, Manchester

By Anya Baxter.

Genre-blending American three-piece turned the Manchester Apollo into one big shimmering disco ball on Saturday night.

Photo by Anya Baxter

Khruangbin, meaning "airplane" in Thai, have a much debated psychedelic sound, with influences from Spain and the Middle East. Touring with Bonobo in 2010, Laura Lee and Mark Speer formed Khruangbin with Donald "DJ" Johnson, and have amassed a total of three studio albums, "The Universe Smiles upon You", "Con Todo el Mundo" and most recently "Mordechai", five EPs, and three remix albums.

Photo by Anya Baxter

After support from Secret Night Gang, the set featured hits such as "Maria Tambien", "Time (You and I)", and "Evan Finds the Third Room", and Khruangbin classics "White Gloves" and "First Class". Lee captivated on bass, her characteristic swaying movement giving her an air of sophistication and drawing the eye.

Photo by Anya Baxter

The band also performed several covers, including the Bowie classic "Let's Dance", made even more exciting by the glittering disco ball at the back of the stage, and "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John. It seemed everyone was dancing as the band each took a shot on stage, further engaging an already electric audience.

Photo by Anya Baxter

Speer remained consistent with complicated and iconic riffs on guitar, while Johnson kept his cool on the drum kit at the rear of the stage. As the night went on, the crowd only grew in passion, swallowing their inhibitions and letting go to enjoy themselves with the stylish musicians.

Photo by Anya Baxter

Khruangbin is clearly a band experimenting with genres, styles and methods to create gorgeous new sounds to mesmerise listeners and expand their audience's mind and taste.

Photo by Anya Baxter