Sylvan Esso w/Collections of Colonies of Bees

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For much of the ’00s, Nick Sanborn was one of the more prolific contributors to the Milwaukee music scene, playing in bands like Decibully and Collections of Colonies of Bees while producing electronic music under the moniker Made of Oak. But it wasn’t until Sanborn left Milwaukee for North Carolina that he found success on the national level with Sylvan Esso, his collaboration with Amelia Meath, formerly of the folk trio Mountain Man. Together the two make wily, vibrant electronic pop that zigs and zags in continually creative new ways. More politically charged than the band’s 2014 self-titled debut but every bit as fun, the duo’s 2017 sophomore album, What Now, was nominated for a Best Dance/Electronic Album Grammy. The duo shares a pair of sold-out shows at the Pabst Theater this weekend with Sanborn’s former band Collections of Colonies of Bees, which has a new lineup and a wonderful new album, HAWAII, which they just released this month on Polyvinyl. (Also Sunday, July 22.)