Blow Yer Eyes and Ears With Caroliner Oct. 3, 4 at the Lab

​I've been to a lotta shows over the years, but few performances burn themselves into memory (and the cornea) like Caroliner, the psychedelic, experimental bluegrass 'n' beats act that has for years lit up stages in costumes and background dressing like no other. Their gigs are nearly as rare as seeing Caroliner out of costume, but mark your calendars for Oct. 3rd and 4th when the group puts on two shows at the Lab.

At a Cafe du Nord show last July, Caroliner came on like a day-glo fever dream, the fabrics and colors of their costumes blending into that of their instruments and background. It was a fully immersive experience, something like Chuck E. Cheese on acid, but with better music: long jams that were tribal and percussive but punk in their provocative vibe.

Regardless of whether the tunes on Caroliners' MySpace page drive you to collect their limited-edition records, the live show is something to behold. The crew performs at the Lab twice the first weekend in Oct.: on Saturday, the 3rd, at 8p.m., and on Sunday, the 4th, at 2 p.m. It's San Francisco theater like none other.