As South by Southwest Interactive came to a close Tuesday afternoon, Rich Aucoin helped kick off the music portion of the annual festival at Club Deville.

The Canadian one-man-dance-band brought his own blend of ‘80s-inspired electropop to the stage, turning the Roku-sponsored ice cream party into an impromptu dance party.

Aucoin worked the crowd into a single throbbing mass of energy, pulsing to four-on-the-floor beats. The audience was thoroughly engaged with the new-wave crooner, as they were often invited to sing the chorus on many songs. And Aucoin danced among them.

When the neon-accessorized Aucoin brought out a rainbow parachute, the dance party turned into a full-on love fest. Strangers became comrades, whipping the massive nylon sheet to the beat.

One thing is for sure: Aucoin knows how to work a crowd. Work them he did. By the end of the set, Aucoin had the crowd dancing in the palm of his hand.

A fantastic showman intent on showing the audience a good time, Aucoin is only beginning to dance his way to the top.