There was a moment two weeks ago at the Eaux Claires festival during Phil Cook’s set when Nick Sanborn jumped onstage with his fellow North Carolina-by-way-of-Wisconsin musician buddy and they launched into the latest Sylvan Esso single "PARAD(w/m)E."

Amelia Meath, who is Sanborn’s partner, both in life and in Sylvan Esso, had been singing with Cook the entire set. Given that Eaux Claires prides itself on surprises, it seemed as though a Sylvan Esso pop-up set was upon us. All over the festival grounds, heads turned and feet took flight. 

At the inaugural Eaux Claires back in 2015, Sylvan Esso delivered an electric, once-in-a-lifetime performance. Despite a return set at last year’s Eaux Claires, festival regulars continue to chase the dragon.

As luck would have it, there would be no pop-up Sylvan Esso set at Eaux Claires IV. It was just the one song. This was fine by me, as I was among the fortunate few who had secured a ticket to one of the band’s two sold-out shows at The Pabst Theater this weekend.

"Oh Milwaukee, it’s really good to be home," said Sanborn after the night one set opener "Sound," which also opens the band’s 2017 Grammy-nominated sophomore record "What Now." "We’re Sylvan Esso from Durham, North Carolina. My name is Nick, I’m from here. Thanks for coming."

After reading a preview of the show, my lady jokingly asked if we (meaning Milwaukee, the "royal we") must always reference the fact that Sanborn cut his teeth in the local music scene. Of course! Sylvan Esso are legit rockstars. Just last week, they packed Red Rocks in Colorado, which seats almost 10,000 people. (But let’s be honest, most of them were not sitting.) 

Don’t get me wrong, Milwaukee has a ton of musical talent, but not that many claims to fame. As long as Sylvan Esso is out there kicking ass, we will never stop mentioning the fact that Sanborn spent his formative years playing in the Milwaukee-based rock band Decibully.

Sanborn, who grew up outside of Madison in the small town of Middleton, also spent time in Collections of Colonies of Bees, which opened for Sylvan Esso last night at The Pabst.

That being said, it feels as though Sanborn’s better half doesn’t get the shine she deserves in the local press, at least in regards to her backstory.

Amelia Meath began her musical career in the acoustic folk trio Mountain Man, which she joined while attending Bennington College in Vermont. A lifelong performer, Meath loves Vaudeville, wanted to join the circus as a child, became obsessed with contortion in high school and majored in experimental theater at Bennington.

Meath and Sanborn famously met at the Cactus Club in Bay View almost exactly eight years ago. Mountain Man was sharing a bill with Sanborn’s solo project Made of Oak. Neither was the headlining act that night. (That was Long Island band Mr Twin Sister, fka Twin Sister.)

The propulsive trajectory of Sylvan Esso’s career does not seem to be taken for granted by Meath and Sanborn. They present themselves as two of the most gracious artists working in the music business. When the couple walked back onstage for the encore last night, their faces were flooded with gratitude.

The fact that Meath and Sanborn are married is not a narrative they care to publicize, but it cannot be divorced from their pulsing, dreamy brand of electro-pop. You can feel the love in every melody and beat drop. It is a rare, magnetic power, which only Chance the Rapper and a few others possess.

Speaking of rappers, Collections of Colonies of Bees put on a pretty incredible opening set, even bringing out local hip-hop artist Klassik, who freestyled and joined vocalist Marielle Allschwang for some choreography. Bees leader (and frequent Sanborn collaborator) Chris Rosenau also returned on guitar during Sylvan Esso’s encore for a beautiful rendition of "Slack Jaw."

Besides Rosenau’s guest spot, there were a few other unforgettable moments. As their first big hit, "Coffee," began to play, Sanborn looked up at the top balcony, taking in the adulation, then grabbing his beer for a cheers.

After "Coffee," Meath gave a brief howl, signaling the next song would be "Wolf." The howl spread like wildfire, and before the opening notes played, the audience was howling along, compelling Meath to do a little jig.

Imagine doing calisthenics every night in front of thousands of excited humans, many of whom reciprocate your energy. This exercise makes you a handsome living and brings people joy in the process. This is essentially Amelia Meath’s reality, as her killer dance moves surely count as a workout.

It is crazy to think that Sylvan Esso were once just two musicians doing their own thing in different parts of the country. But fate brought them together, in our city no less. Now the world has their music and we are all better for it.

As Klassik rapped during the opening set (referencing Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock, respectively): "It takes two to make a thing go right."