Social The Live Show Review Thread

It's been a good weekend for me...

THURSDAY
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Overall a good party, but Justin Martin's set was a little darker than I'm used to.
I honestly prefer his lighter, more groovy sound, but it's cool to see artists try new things.
I left after his set because I had to work in the morning.

FRIDAY

Started off the night at UHall for the East Coast Boogiemen reunion. Unfortunately I can't find a flyer to post, but the night was great. They spin amazing house and instead of doing a tag team, they play simultaneously. They haven't spun together in years so it was great to see them, and they haven't lost their touch. They spun on two mixers and 4 CDJ's. They layer it so thick that it's a completely new interpretation of the music. I have really fond memories of them ripping it UP at warehouse raves about ten years ago. I saw them play an excellent 2x6 set at a baltimore warehouse party and they ripped it up. They totally lived up to my expectations and I danced really hard. I left at around 2am after their set and headed to The Loft to see...

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Digitaline was getting started right when I got there around 2am...perfect timing for me. They threw down a really great live PA that was super deep and minimal, and everyone was dancing. They had an odd configuration for their live PA though, using two laptops (one each) that were hooked into a single xone92 mixer. I'm used to seeing ableton sets with controllers, but they were definitely playing live, just an odd configuration.

It was one of those 4-wristband weekends

:D
 
Hi I write and book bands for Death Disco. We had an act Detronikuk who were in as a late cancellation. This duo from Leeds were fantastic like hot chip but more frantic and def not as geek like!!! Best live act we have had in the last six months which puts all the well known artists to shame!! 9/10
 
Chemical Brothers
Saw Chemical Brothers at North Coast Music Fest in Chicago allllll the way back in September and they blew me away. Great music but an even better light display. Lasers and a video screen behind them with robots, buildings building themselves, just weird shit. Being on ecstasy and acid on this show made it even that much better but I definitely didn't need any chemicals to know that this was a great show.
10/10

DiscoBiscuits
I gotta say that this may be sort of bias because I'm not into the whole jam-tronica sort of thing, but this set really let me down. I do like some Bisco songs and this set was just lack luster. They had a great laser show, however, which was really nice to watch on some acid :). Besides that I thought the show lacked intensity and to be honest hippies just aren't my thing (there's the bias.)
6/10

Ferry Corsten
Went into this show really excited and was just kinda let down. I really like a lot of his songs and he is a top ten DJ but the show just really wasn't all that great. I saw him at the Elysian Lounge in downtown Detroit and there was only about 100 people there which usually is awesome to see a big name DJ in a small venue, but he really failed to get the crowd into it that much. Because i like his music alot I still had a great time and would give this a ...
7/10

Pretty Lights (NYE show in Chicago)
First off let me say that I don't even like Pretty Lights. I think it's boring and all of their songs have the same sound. Having said that, this show was FUCKING AMAZING. Derek played a whole new arsenal of songs ranging from Pink Floyd- Time to Naughty by Nature-Jump around right after midnight. Probably the best laser show I've ever seen, as well. Me and my friends went into this show not expecting it to be great and just going because it seemed like the most fun thing to do in Chicago on new years, boy we were mistaken.
10/10

Two Fresh
I love Two Fresh's music and I really like the idea of having a drummer on stage with them, but having said that this show at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago was just not all that great. In their defense the Bottom Lounge does suck, but the show was nothing special. As for the drummer, however, he was great.
6.5/10

Glitch Mob
First off I don't even like the Glitch Mob, they suck. I think their music lacks energy... scratch that has no energy. I have to give it to the asian guy in the middle though, he is always trying to pump the crowd up. The drums and beat-pad thingys just don't work for me.
3/10

MartyParty
I've seen Marty twice now, once in Grand Rapids and once in Royal Oak, MI. He fucking brings it every time. Both times I saw him he was just so energetic dancing along the stage and just getting the crowd way into it. Go see this kid if you have a chance.
9/10

Steve Aoki
I feel like alot of people hate on Steve Aoki and I'm not really sure why. I am not one of those people who just thinks Deadmau5 is the be all end all of electronic music and I can really appreciate Aoki's live performance. It's not that I think his music is that awesome, because its not, but this guy is just packed with energy. I think he is a great performer and anyone who has the chance to go see him should do so. I have seen him twice and had great times SOBER at both shows.
9/10

Infected Mushroom
I thought this show was really good. It really reminded me of just a normal rock concert with the guitar and all but it did have sort of an electronic feel to it. I thought the lead singer was great, he really got the crowd going and it was a good time.
8.5/10

Bassnectar
I've seen Bassnectar three times I think and I might have already made a report on him but he brings it hard every single time. All I can say is go see him live you will not be dissapointed. His show on the night before halloween at the Aragon in Chicago was just amazing.
10/10

Tiesto
Saw Tiesto last night in Milwaukee last night actually. It was great. He played for three hours and aside from the first few songs brought intensity and energy the whole time. To be honest going to a show with a name as big as Tiesto I kinda expected I would be rating this a 10/10 but it was definitely a great show and a memorable experience.
7/10
 
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Bonobo -live-

i've seen bonobo live with his tour band this week, and it was just awesome! Nice mix of band performance and electronic liveact, they also played some older tracks, which I enjoyed very much. If you like Simon Green's music, go to their concerts if possible!

also they played in a very renommated jazz club here in my city, so the ambience was pretty much perfect for the music.
 
Mimosa
Saw Mimosa and he blew my mind. This kid is brilliant. Like Chemical Smiles said this kid kills it on stage like he's been doing it for 10 years and I believe he's only 21? Unquestionably the best dubstep act I've ever seen. This kid just straight brings it with so much energy and intensity. Saw this show completely sober and walked out of their with a whole new appreciation for him. If you guys have the chance you gotta check out Mimosa.
10/10
 
Benny Benassi- Saw him rock an outdoor set in the middle of the day last year. It was a lot of fun and he still has it for a 43 year old man. I wouldn't say he was one of the best sets of the weekend but it was definitely awesome. 8/10.

Paul Van Dyk- Seen him twice now, both times in Chicago, and for some reason I am not that impressed with him. He really fails to get the crowd into it and at NCMF he only showed up to play a 40 minute set. That aside he has some really good music so that's why I'm even giving him the rating I am. 7/10.
 
Can people keep posting reviews?! I know everyones seeing shows... I think this is one of the best threads on BL we need to keep it going!!
 
Will, going to Sensation White this Sunday! Really looking forward to seeing Gabriel & Dresden and Fedde Le Grand should be aight.
 
Just got back from Spring Frequency

Penta
I've always liked his tracks and his set was no surprise here. Kept me dancing all 2 hours. His style would be considered funky dark psy if you could put a name to it as it's a lot more intense than full on but not quite drilling as dark psy.
9/10

Earthling.
I'm so bummed to missed the first half of his set but what I did get to listen to was impressive. I had just woken up from a drunken stupor but it was nice to wake up to some melodic full on. His music puts you almost in a trance without being too cheesy.
8/10

Menog
Last time I seen him was in mexico about 2 years ago. I was impressed with his set then but I don't know what happened this time. I just find his style of full on to be a bit too much for me. Too many buzzing sounds and not enough psychedelia in his music. I'd almost call it electro full on. I left during half his set to the minimal room.
5/10
 
A-trak- Saw Atrak at the MID this Thursday night. It was a great show. It was really cool to see a DJ actually scratching, definitely something you don't see often. He played everything from hip-hop to house to stuff that almost sounded like dubstep. His version of Robot Rock was insane and Barbara Streisand to end the night. If you can get the chance to go see him I would highly recommend it.
9/10

EOTO- This was one of the best shows I've seen in a while. Live drums, bongos, guitars, banjo and DJ equipment all blend together and make beautiful dubstep and other electronic music. Their video projector was awesome as well. Jason and Michael play so damn well together and if anyone is considering seeing them DO IT. Don't judge them from youtube videos cause it just doesn't do this show justice. Jason plays on the drums while singing into a microphone and breaks out into a bongo solo at the end of the show. The most amazing part of the show is that it is 100% improvised, made up on the spot. This shit blew my mind.
10/10
 
EOTO- This was one of the best shows I've seen in a while. Live drums, bongos, guitars, banjo and DJ equipment all blend together and make beautiful dubstep and other electronic music. Their video projector was awesome as well. Jason and Michael play so damn well together and if anyone is considering seeing them DO IT. Don't judge them from youtube videos cause it just doesn't do this show justice. Jason plays on the drums while singing into a microphone and breaks out into a bongo solo at the end of the show. The most amazing part of the show is that it is 100% improvised, made up on the spot. This shit blew my mind.
10/10
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How do you like the MID and Portage as venues? I've heard the MID is over-security-ey and more high-end than neccessary but I love the seats at the Portage.
 
Gabriel & Dresden @ Sensation White Kiev 08.05.2011

I was expecting a lot from these guys and I was kinda pissed that they would only start playing at 4:45 am. When they did come out, they mostly played famous rock/dance tracks mixed in with electro/tech-house. So they would take the chorus from Nirvana's nevermind and add a dance section. They did drop a few pretty cool tracks like Swedish House Mafia's "Save the World tonight", but overall I thought they could have done much better, but I guess Sensation nowadays is just too commercialized. They also didn't play "Arcadia" which was really annoying. I am pretty sure they could have played a much better set if they felt like it 6/10
 
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I personally like both venues a lot. It was my first time to the portage and I thought it was great. Loved the seats and the lax security. I really like the mid because it's got that small club feel and with all the shows at the congress, etc it is a great change of pace. Watching atrak rock that club was thebomb.com and I'd love to see another show there soon.
 
Datsik
Awesome show tonight. Played a bunch of well known tunes and also dropped some new ones in there. The crowd was great and Datsik definitely gave it his all... really got into it. If you guys get the chance to see him go do it.
8.5/10
 
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Danny Howells

His track selection was kinda meh. I'm not really a progressive person, i prefer more aggressive house or dnb when i go out. However, His programming was very impressive from a listener's perspective. I did find that i was able to dance to it. I was suprised by the small turn out, although because the club was so small, it seemed like more people had turned out. Totally diggin' the whole you can buy vitamin water LOL, and at 5bux for a redbull, i have no issues with the no alcohol policy. stayed til sunrise.
 
RJD2
I was really let down by this performance. I have always liked RJD2 alot and was pretty excited for this show. I didn't even really expect much being that he spins hip-hop-ish type music. I thought it would be a chill, cool show to watch. It was really bad, though. He had zero energy and probably only played for an hour and fifteen minutes. Don't waste your money on him.
3/10
 
Since you posted your datsik review, I thought I should post mine.

Datsik: 0/10

Datsik is one of the worst dubstep producers I've ever seen live. His intro was cool, but completely orchestrated by SKisM, so I give datsik no credit for his intro. Props to SKisM on setting the stage for him, he tried real hard to make datsik look good. I didn't particularly enjoy his set at any point for the 30 minutes I could stand, but him playing bass cannon was dreadful. Two performers played bass cannon before him, so it was obvious he mostly just queues up ableton and pretends to mix. The crowd was restless and thrashing about, and datsik took no notice and just kept going. I saw several fights break out (I almost got into 2 actually) and still, datsik paid no mention. It's sort of the job of the musician to tell the crowd to CUT THE SHIT like I've seen before, but datsik is an emotionless, robotic individual. It makes sense that he would make beep boop robot music. After 30 minutes I had had enough. The first 4 or so rows were just couples grinding on each other-it was pretty disgusting to be honest. Nothing was going right it seemed, and I felt it was time to go see someone else before returning to the stage to see dieselboy. Datsik is fail.
 
TearItDown said:
Since you posted your datsik review, I thought I should post mine.

Datsik: 0/10

Datsik is one of the worst dubstep producers I've ever seen live. His intro was cool, but completely orchestrated by SKisM, so I give datsik no credit for his intro. Props to SKisM on setting the stage for him, he tried real hard to make datsik look good. I didn't particularly enjoy his set at any point for the 30 minutes I could stand, but him playing bass cannon was dreadful. Two performers played bass cannon before him, so it was obvious he mostly just queues up ableton and pretends to mix. The crowd was restless and thrashing about, and datsik took no notice and just kept going. I saw several fights break out (I almost got into 2 actually) and still, datsik paid no mention. It's sort of the job of the musician to tell the crowd to CUT THE SHIT like I've seen before, but datsik is an emotionless, robotic individual. It makes sense that he would make beep boop robot music. After 30 minutes I had had enough. The first 4 or so rows were just couples grinding on each other-it was pretty disgusting to be honest. Nothing was going right it seemed, and I felt it was time to go see someone else before returning to the stage to see dieselboy. Datsik is fail.
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Was this the same Chicago show previously mentioned?
 
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