Chicago keys meet Denver jam.
[Manic Focus] blends bluesy piano, hip hop drums, and textured samples, while [SunSquabi] brings a tight trio feel shaped by guitar, bass, and drums. Together they live where beat scene swing meets jam patience. Expect an arc that favors instrumental builds, quick drop-ins by live keys, and bass lines you feel first. Likely highlights include
Bumpin' in the Voodoo,
Pygmy Up,
Cinnamon, and
Squabcat.
What you may hear and who shows up.
The floor often mixes home-producer kids, funk fans, and crate-diggers who like room to move. A neat footnote is that [Manic Focus] sometimes upgrades to a full live band for festival slots, while [SunSquabi] often sketches new riffs on stage and later shapes them into studio cuts. You might also notice short interludes where the drummer cues a half-time switch to reset the room before a new section. For clarity, everything about songs and staging here is an informed read of recent patterns and could change night to night.
The Manic Focus + SunSquabi Scene Up Close
Clothes built for movement.
You will see breathable jerseys, vintage ski caps, and comfy sneakers that can handle long grooves. Shiny windbreakers and patch-covered hats nod to Colorado jam culture. People clap on the snare during build-ups and throw quick call-and-response shouts when the drummer rolls into a fill.
Rituals and keepsakes.
Merch leans into vibrant art prints, soft tees, and bass-themed caps that sell fast after the show. Friends trade setlist pins and compare who caught which guest sit-in on past dates. The feel is welcoming, curious, and tuned to small musical details like a new synth tone or a fresh guitar pedal. It is a space where dancers, gear nerds, and sample hunters share the same pocket.
How Manic Focus + SunSquabi Build the Sound Live
Keys, riffs, and the pocket.
[Manic Focus] usually drives the core with live keys and chopped samples that sit on top of hip hop drums. [SunSquabi] support that mood with sturdy bass ostinatos, crisp snare placement, and guitar lines that answer the synth hooks. Tempos hover in a danceable mid-range so the grooves feel heavy without sprinting. Vocals are sparse, often sampled phrases used like an instrument.
Little shifts, big lift.
A lesser-known habit is a short piano intro from [Manic Focus] before the beat lands, which makes the drop feel bigger. [SunSquabi] sometimes flips a section to half-time for eight bars, then snaps back to bring the room forward. Expect simple motif call-backs later in the set, turning loose jams into themes you recognize. Visuals tend to support the music with color sweeps on builds and strobes kissing the snare, never stealing focus from the groove.
Kindred Grooves for Manic Focus + SunSquabi Fans
Files next to your favorites.
If you are into melodic bass and live horns,
Big Gigantic scratches a similar itch with sax-led drops and party tempos. Fans of guitar-forward electro-funk will find common ground with
The Floozies, who push bouncy rhythms and bright synth hooks.
GRiZ fits for people who like positive soul samples over big, friendly bass and surprise sax cameos.
Jam roots, modern pulse.
For deeper jam textures and patient builds,
STS9 offers long-form grooves and visual-heavy peaks. If tight pocket funk and live-band swagger appeal,
Lettuce lands with sharp rhythm work and brass accents that vibe with the same crowd. The overlap comes from dance-first beats, warm harmonies, and shows that breathe rather than rush.
