At an EP release show last weekend, the dance pop singer hooked on the neon ‘80s showed that he could have future. Or maybe that was live music talking.

Last weekend, I saw LeTrainiump play an EP release show for Purity at The Howlin’ Wolf, and despite everything 2021 about the experience—socially distanced seating, masks, reduced capacities—the experience was awesome. Recently, Andreas Jahn profiled the singer from Mamou, focusing on his efforts to find a place and a community for his ‘80s-influenced dance pop. A drummer added some push to the pre-recorded tracks he sang to, while LeTrainiump’s likability shone through his singing and performance, which embodied the idea of ‘dance like no one’s looking’ idiom in the most endearing way. 

It was also great to see a pop show by an act with some ambition. LeTrainiump shot a video for “Lost” for NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, and it has already received some love from NPR on its Twitter feed. When he played the song live accompanied by SaxKixAve—emcee Alfred Banks and sax player Albert Allenback—you could not only hear but see how the song and he could become something bigger. When he sang, “I’m going in a circles,” a woman danced in circles without being prompted, and that kind of spontaneous connection to the specifics of a song is a sign that something’s there and people are listening. 

Does that mean he’ll make it? Not by itself. There are a million steps between where he is and where he wants to be, but it was clearer in the room than on a computer that LeTrainiump has something to work with. In the room and the moment, the possibilities felt strong, though admittedly that could also be the live experience talking, where the beer, the beat, and the excitement of people around you adds intangibles to a show that the artist can’t control. 

That excitement and urgency alone is a good reason to see live music this weekend.