CHICAGO – George Clanton is a man of many talents – while on his live meditations tour, that was more than evident. Performing under the stage name ESPRIT, Clanton played a sold-out show to Chicagoans on a rainy Wednesday night, showcasing music from his 2014 album “Virtua.Zip” and 2017 album, “200% Electronica.” Clanton transformed a 750-person-capacity venue into an electric vaporwave soundscape.
Hailing from Virgina, Clanton has always had a fascination with music. After growing up attending punk shows, the artist began making music of his own, with the goal of evoking nostalgia through sound. He aims to blend memories with technology, writing songs about yearning and timelessness. Clanton also owns his own record label and produces all of his own music. His range of talents has led him to collaborate with iconic artists in the industry, and has helped establish him as a prominent figure in the vaporwave genre.
Stripped away kicked off the show with a set everyone could unwind to. The two men sat on the main stage with only a few drums and an electric energy between them. They explained that, although their drum percussion beats have their own language, they were creating music on the spot. To me, it felt as if they were speaking a spiritual language with hopes to heal the crowd from any current day struggles.
When Clanton took his spot behind the board, I was immediately struck by how intimate the show was about to become. As he lit incense, he began mixing, clicking keys and blending beats so seamlessly that it looked effortless. Fans crowded around his setup, watching with a mix of fascination and surprise.
The crowd unanimously bobbed their heads, something it was nearly impossible not to do. Behind Clanton, the psychedelic screen displayed images relating to ESPRIT and the music itself. With jaws dropped and lights dimmed, the atmosphere felt perfectly designed for ESPRIT’s music. Clanton would occasionally whip out a jingle bell stick, adding another layer to his experimental performance.
Burning two Incense sticks over the course of two hours, he ended his set on a high note, leaving the crowd different than when they walked in. Clanton also made it a point to thank the fans for coming out, individually walking around the venue, giving high-fives and fist pumps. With the tour consisting of only five shows, his appreciation for the crowd felt genuine, making the intimate performance feel even more personal.
