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-- Review: Sasha & Digweed @ Pepsi Forum
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thumbs up for Tribe.. Awsome event..
I arrived at the Pepsi Forum around midnight and was greeted by a long line. We waited in this line for over an hour, while our extremeties slowly went numb.
After finally getting inside, my senses started taking in the sights and sound. I felt that familiar feeling I get with the first few steps into the venue of a big party: satisfaction and relief from the wait officially being over, mixed with anxiety, excitement and tension, knowing that something truly epic has the potential of happening. It's a hard feeling to describe, but it's a feeling that anyone who has been partying for a while knows exactly what I'm talking about. There's something about the way the big-room sound system's bass sounds when there's not many people in the room that will forever be associated with this feeling for me.
I was very impressed with the venue.. There was a decently sized, well shaped dancefloor in the middle with lots of room to dance and talk on the outskirts. Not only that, there was an upper level, which to me is such a key ingredient for a bigger party. Being on an upper level and witnessing a party in its peak gives you a different perspective on how epic it is (especially when the view of the party transitions from ground level to bird's eye view via escalator transport - that escalator gave the party such character!). The upper level and the outskirts of the main floor gave the party an unlimited amount of room - another big plus. Plus, with the way the venue was shaped, although it was quite large, the main dancefloor was always packed and rocking at any point in the night. In short, venue was quite unique, but worked perfectly. I sincerely hope that this venue is used again. I can think of very few venues that would work better for a that size.
The lighting for this party is the best lighting I have ever seen for a one off party (behind Daft Punk of course, but that was more of a concert). I usually don't care about lighting because it's usually cheesy or done wrong, but they really did it right this time. The mix of the moving ceiling, plus the lights at the front made for some really colossal builds. However, I don't know if it's just my sensitivity to strobes, but did anyone think that they went a *little* over board a few times? I had to leave the dancefloor on two different occassions because it was too much for me.
At 1:30am, the moment I had been waiting for years for had finally arrived. My excitement and especially my expectations for this party were the highest they could possibly be. Anyone who knows me knows that when my expectations are this high, they are very hard (re: almost impossible) to even meet. After the 2nd hour, when realizing that my expectations for them had actually been surpassed, I just looked up at the duo, shook my head and revered the best that dance music has to offer.
Sasha's first segment that he played built the party up so perfectly. Big, fat, slower, but groovy prog basslines with sinister trance synths scattered through out built up the crowd's anticipation level to a point of near-explosion. Digweed came on and played his newer druggy, twisted style which in my opinion was a bit too distinct of a change from Sasha's first segment. This is my only complaint about the set, but I'm just being picky here. A too-sudden transition from one amazing segment to another is not much of a complaint, lol.
The point of the night where Sasha droped "Who Killed Sparky" was definitely the highlight of the night for me. It was in the last 60-90 mins of the set, which was just bomb after bomb of epic, proggy trance, with trademark Sasha basslines. It's times like these that I think every partier chases. It's the reason we keep going out time and time again to parties like these, for that one small chance that we'll get even an hour, of when everything just comes together. When you're holding your head in your hands, pulling at your hair in disbelief. When it feels like the walls are reverberating inward, and that the ceiling is going to cave in at any moment. It's at moments like these where I usually go into the middle of the dancefloor by myself, distraction free, and just take it all in.
Every time I hear "Who Killed Sparky", it brings me back to that 90 minutes of magic, bringing with it that feeling of longing to go back to that moment. This is a feeling that is extremely rare for me after a party, and only happens after the very best.
Sasha & Digweed @ The Pepsi Forum is pretty much as close to party perfection as it gets IMO. The crowd, lights, music, energy, everything was just amazing. I remember at one point in the night walking up to malek and just saying, "You Montr�alers really know how to do big parties right." This party gets 10/10 from me. I'm hesitant to give it a 10/10 because I've been to better parties (due mainly to circumstance), but I can't really think of anything that could have made this party better (save for S&D playing longer lol, but that's just being greedy). The rare 10/10 score has to be given out some time, and this party definitely deserves it.
As I said before, I sincerely hope to see another party in this venue done by Tribe Hyperclub.
Now that I�m on midterm break, I actually have the time to write this, so here it is!
Got there just as Anton was finishing up and he played some nice stuff: thick, flowing, glitched-out, minimalesque prog; he had the people in there grooving away. Overall rating: can�t really give one given that I only heard him for like, 30 minutes but nonetheless 7.5/10.
Spooky came on and rocked it, although there were a couple of tracks I didn't like. They definitely built up a flow that was perfect for Sasha to take over. Charlie and Duncan are 2 of the smoothest, most genuine artists I�ve met and no doubt, they performed outstandingly, very similar to their warm-ups for Sasha at Tribe for those of you who attended those 2 parties. Pure �meant for� dance floor inspired tunes, chunky and funky all the while, smooth and groovy. Indeed, they got the ball rolling perfectly for what was to come. Overall rating: 8/10.
The dance floor was packed by the time Sasha got on and he unleashed his new wave techno sound he's into these days. Clickity clackity glitches combined with thundering, continuous, rollllling low ends...now THAT'S the kind of new school minimal tech I�m into. I was on the dance floor when Mr. Coe got on and was pretty close to the speakers right under the DJ booth where the poundingness of what he was playing activated my gag reflex and to the bathroom I went 
I could literally feel my entire chest moving with each thump and so, my opinion is that it was FUCKING loud on the floor. Not "bad" loud just "too much for me" loud. The sound quality was fantastic, just the volume was too much for my system to handle. To the VIP I went afterwards. Sasha...Well, I�ve always been a Digweed girl but I must admit that Sasha takes the definition of a true musical experience and twists it completely; making it unique with a series of cutting edge sounds that nobody�s ever even comtemplated before. He builds and builds and buildsssss...A seriously real sonic trip. And can I mention he was smiling and actually showing signs of mobility at points throughout his set?!?!? Really was great to witness. Overall rating: 9/10.
John came on after Sasha and well, what can I possibly say to those of you who experienced the night that you haven�t already felt? He�s the master in my eyes. A legend, a pioneer, a true musical genius. All of which is combined with a humility about what he does and the epic effects it has on not only the individuals who are fortunate enough to experience his sound, but on the entire industry as a whole. How to describe the bliss...Well, he is the epitomic figure to which I attribute so much importance and respect. I know I sound crazy lol, but bare with me. Those of you who really, reallllllyyyyy love him will feel me on this one. Those of you who still get goosebumps when you play his GU: Hong Kong or LA will know what I mean. His beats began thickly, and progressed into a chuggy, dramatic and melancholic feel, almost like a hovering of sound over you. His music reminded me of creepy, dingy, acid-filled basements and playgrounds for evil robots. Every element in every track he dropped had a role to play; and combined together, gave me one hell of a ride. Anything that reminds you of a stomp, growl or slap...was present in his set. Dark, twisted, rambling, dirty, frustrated, acid-inspired progressive tech...to a motherfucking tee. Overall rating: 9.5/10. Not surprising.
And then, wait...Hold on...Get a grip Erika. I�d almost forgotten that I was about to see them tag team for my very firstest ever time. I had butterflies in my tummy like I had just fallen in love...and knew it was for real 
I felt each one of my senses become completely engulfed in their sound. I didn�t speak to one single person; I made sure my experience was not going to be disturbed. As I write this, I can still remember feeling my heart in my throat...I was almost nervous for what was to come. Just seeing them together in that booth was an experience all on its own. And then, it began. A journey through the depths of subliminal frequencies; a sheer mission to take in each element of each track of every mix. I really don�t know how to describe it but it was a magnificent combination of deep tech, absolutely banging progressive techno and straight up PROG, served to my willing ears on a silver platter. I felt myself dissolve in the atmosphere they created and paid close attention to the chemistry between them. The utmost respect was there between the two of them, as each one knelt down, away from the eyes of the crowd, when the other would commence a mix. A true subliminal musical experience, one of which humbled me to no end and continues to do so today. I can�t possibly say more. Overall rating: 10/10, hands downnnnnnnnn.
Sander K started things up with a technoish edge and continued to please the crowd with fun, jumpy, chunky/funky progressive house, dancefloor material tunes until the end. A true entertainer, he was all smiles and quirky dance moves up in that booth, clearly very contented with the way things were going. He produced a different vibe than that of S&D but one which maintained the stamina of the vibe that was already going. The crowd was eating out of his hand, continuously waiting for the next drop. I absolutely adore Sander K, always have, and always will because he shows us that he loves doing what it is he does for us. Nothing but respect for the man and I really can�t wait to hear him at Stereo again. Overall rating: 8.5/10.
All in all, needless to say, this experience was sheer magic. To me, it was the essence of electronic dance music, the reason why it exists and the justification as to why it produces the effects it does. Sasha and John ARE house music, just personified. I knew that prior to this night but now, I�ll always have my memories to back up what I believe in most.
Now, someone give me a job writing published party reviews so I can drop out of school 
| quote: |
| Originally posted by ~*Stereohead*~ melancholic feel |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by UneeK this was the track of the night for me, dont know what its called, but they played it at Borgota Casino the next day in Atlantic City... if anyone can id this track, would be appreciated. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Tangil Any ID on this one yet? Cheers |
You just made my week mate!!! Massive thanks!! 
| quote: |
| Originally posted by ~*Stereohead*~ Now that I�m on midterm break, I actually have the time to write this, so here it is! |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Spin Laden Don't drop out of school just yet, I think it's contributing to the depths of your solid, solid reviews.. that and perhaps some influential person named Maher? |
it's funny that the other party's theme is about religion when this S&D booking seem to be a religious experience in and of itself.
Bal en Blanc ppl take note 
april 11th sasha digweed koolhaus gvernment TO... be there
Erika's post made me cry, she all growed up now, proudest day of my life
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Alex Erika's post made me cry, she all growed up now, proudest day of my life |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by DarV april 11th sasha digweed koolhaus gvernment TO... be there |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by ~*Stereohead*~ And then, wait...Hold on...Get a grip Erika. I�d almost forgotten that I was about to see them tag team for my very firstest ever time. I had butterflies in my tummy like I had just fallen in love...and knew it was for real I felt each one of my senses become completely engulfed in their sound. I didn�t speak to one single person; I made sure my experience was not going to be disturbed. As I write this, I can still remember feeling my heart in my throat...I was almost nervous for what was to come. Just seeing them together in that booth was an experience all on its own. And then, it began. A journey through the depths of subliminal frequencies; a sheer mission to take in each element of each track of every mix. I really don�t know how to describe it but it was a magnificent combination of deep tech, absolutely banging progressive techno and straight up PROG, served to my willing ears on a silver platter. I felt myself dissolve in the atmosphere they created and paid close attention to the chemistry between them. The utmost respect was there between the two of them, as each one knelt down, away from the eyes of the crowd, when the other would commence a mix. A true subliminal musical experience, one of which humbled me to no end and continues to do so today. I can�t possibly say more. Overall rating: 10/10, hands downnnnnnnnn. |
I can't wait to see them in Miami 
twice within like a few days
| quote: |
| it's funny that the other party's theme is about religion when this S&D booking seem to be a religious experience in and of itself. |
"Fluffy and Festive" 14, March 23
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