On May 1st I had my first true Bassnectar experience at The Electric Factory and could not have been more ecstatic to make an encore performance at the same venue the following night. The Electric Factory was an exceptional venue for the show being easily accessible from public transportation as well as having a parking lot right in front of the entrance. There was virtually no wait to enter and although security was present, it was not an arduous process. To my surprise, Lorin (Bassnectar himself) allowed each attendee to bring one water bottle into the venue, ensuring his viewers hydration.
You could see the love for Bassnectar splayed across the faces of the concert-goers as the crowd buzzed with excitement and anticipation. The appropriateness of the venue was only amplified by the cool artwork on the Electric Factory walls. My personal favorite was a Cheshire Cat near the restrooms. On the second level of the venue there is seating and a bar for those 21+ so if you got tired from dancing you could have a seat and still get a wonderful view of the stage. Since it was my first Bassnectar show, I was a little apprehensive among the sea of veterans and bassheads. I usually listen to house music, although I am a fan of Bassnectar’s DJing style. The outcome; beyond impressed.
We arrived just as the first act was ending and the crowd was starting to fill in. Griz opened for Bassnectar, teeing up some upbeat music as well as playing the saxophone. Possibly, the perfect combination of jamming and DJing to warm up the crowd of anxious bassheads. The floor become increasingly crowded as a heavy layer of anticipation for the main act hovered in the air, threatening to flatten all. The excitement was overwhelming; you could feel the love shared for this artist by the vibes his fans were sending off in the crowd.
What I loved the most about the unique crowd at Bassnectar that night was how accepting and excited they were. Right off the bat, my friends and I met two bassheads who actually got engaged at the show! After our introduction they immediately welcomed me to my first Bassnectar show with enthusiasm. I met people at the two shows that have been to over 50 Bassnectar shows! Bassnectar shows boast a carefree attitude and the crowd is always so accepting and friendly. So go-ahead dance any way you want, wear whatever you like, bring a friggin’ totem pole with Kermit the frog on it; it’s all good, you are always welcome and accepted here!
The crowd erupted as Bassnectar took the stage. I immediately understood the term basshead when Lorin began to play his first mix. I have never before experienced bass such as this! You feel the bass start in you head and radiate throughout your entire body. The thick vibrations appear to shatter the boundary of sound and shake the very air you stand in. I must say that it is one of the coolest sensations I have ever experienced. On the second night, after becoming accustomed to this particular concert environment, I nearly cried when Bassnectar dropped my favorite song “Butterfly” a virtually perfect moment of the night. I left that show knowing that it may have been the most fun I have ever had at a concert.
If you didn’t know, Lorin or Bassnectar mixes every single one of his songs live. Therefore, each song is played and mixed on the spot in front of the audience, ensuring that no two sets are identical. When I told people that I was going to see Bassnectar at both shows one night after the other, many had said “Why? Aren’t you just going to hear the same songs?” The answer, no. Only one song was played both night, “Day ‘N’ Nite”, a Kid Cudi remix; yet it was still mixed differently the second night. Bassnectar threw down so many different songs, some old favorites like “The Matrix” and “Voodoo” and some new stuff like “Rez”. Of course he had to play some crowd favorites like “Ping Pong” and “Freestyle”. Another one of my favorite songs Bassnectar played on the second night was his own mix of “Hit It!” by GTA & Digital Lab & Henrix. As soon as it dropped, the crowd EXPLODED. People jumped, threw water, the perfect pump up song for the crowd. He also played this incredible mix of the Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” it was weird in all of the best ways. I loved all the diversity in music and styles that Bassnectar brought; it kept you on your toes, always craving more.
I loved every second of both Bassnectar shows. Each show was a completely different experience and unlike any show I had ever been to before. I danced like a crazy person, jumped around and felt so accepted into the Bassnectar community. My goal now is to go to as many Bassnectar shows as I can. If you haven’t seen Bassnectar live be sure to check him out on his summer tour! Some upcoming performances will take place at festivals such as Camp Bisco in Albany, NY, Electric Zoo in New York, NY, Breakaway Music Festival in Columbus, OH, and Mountain Oasis in Ashville, NC.
Review by Emelia Carmondy
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