Bassnectar's Inaugural Bass Center Festival Pumps Up The Fun and the Bass for Two Nights

Tisk, tisk, Bassnectar. You threw a raging party for your friends while the parents were out of town, and got yourself another noise complaint. Last year the globally renowned DJ was more or less kicked you out of Morrison (read: Red Rocks) due to continual noise violations, and now Commerce City – the neighbors down the street – are saying last weekend’s “house party” felt like a seismic event. It seems that things are not getting easier for the artist despite the new venue, but as the Beastie Boys once said, “You’ve got to fight…for the right…to PAAAAR-TAY!”

July 29th and 30th, Lorin Ashton (known more commonly as Bassnectar) hosted his biggest event to date at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, with attendance over 25,000. The DJ and producer from Santa Cruz had never put on a festival of this caliber, but thanks to the impressive turnout and stellar lineup, we’re sure to see Bass Center return to Denver next year. The event was a unique two day experience featuring two camping villages, food trucks, and extended sets from Bassnectar himself, the weekend lineup also features heavy-hitters Wu-Tang Clan, Flux Pavilion Lupe Fiasco, Porter Robinson, Flying Lotus, AlunaGeorge amongst others.

We arrived on Saturday evening just as Porter Robinson was getting on stage. His set was backlit by different scenes from anime shows, creating a trance-pop vibe that made you feel like you were rising to the skies – only to be dropped down into a crazy real life version of “Dance Dance Revolution.” This American DJ has been making quite a stir in the electronic scene with multiple hits on the Billboard charts since 2010. His album Worlds, released in 2014, is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of electro-house and synth-pop. 

The vibe flipped 180 degrees once Wu-Tang took over the stage. All members except Raekwon and Method Man were in attendance, bringing the audience back to the 90’s by playing songs like “C.R.E.A.M.” and their Beatles vs. Wu-Tang mashup “Release Yo Delf.” They took time to pay their respects to fallen artists by rapping parts of “California Love” by Tupac, singing bits of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” as an ode to Kurt Cobain, and finally their friend and former member, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, by singing “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” The energy and crowd participation during those songs was absolutely incredible! Oh baby, we like it RAW!

Despite the festival’s massive lineup, the headliner was still absolutely the focus of attention. The roar from the crowd as Bassnectar walked on stage was mind boggling. Hearing that many people screaming that loud all at once is something we’ll never forget. Then the bass hit us hard as he opened up with the song “TKO” off his new album Unlimited, the venue rumbling as the words “Hit’m with the heavyweight - make, make the room shake!” poured from the 808’s.

There’s something about a Bassnectar performance that you just don't experience at any other show. The bass tones he produces are so much lower and deeper than anything else; It rattles your innards to the point where your heart almost skips a beat. This bass is so low that neighboring residents living almost four miles away reported that they could hear the music from inside their houses, and that their walls and windows were shaking throughout the night. Talk about being entirely next-level loud! Saturday night’s performance included mashups from a variety of artists like Jimi Hendrix, Missy Elliot, The Weeknd, and Bruno Mars. He even busted out some crazy pyrotechnics with huge flame throwers shooting out atop of the stage as well as right in front between him and the crowd. The end of the night featured the tune of The Doors song “The End”, and was accompanied by fireworks. From beginning to end, Bass Center 2016 was a truly a magical experience. As long as the neighbors don’t complain too much, we can’t wait to see what the notorious bass god has in store for us next year.

Click here to see more photos from Bass Center 2016

Pretty Lights at The First Bank Center: New Year's Eve: Review

 

Thank you, Jake Fling, for sharing this video with us!

Before you go any further, if you haven't read Castro's review of the first night, do that first. The show on the 30th was an absolutely amazing performance but it was a warmup for the main event, the New Years Eve party. The crowds were louder, the lights brighter, and the bass hit heavier. The First Bank Center hosted the event for both nights, and while it can hold almost 10,000 people, it couldn't hold the level of enthusiasm that this crowd brought with it; this night was set up for an epic performance to be remembered. 

Starting the night off was one of Ultra’s newest favorite DJs, Colorado native Paul Basic.  Working the crowd, he started the New Year’s celebration off right, getting everyone into the groove.  It is obvious that he appreciates being able to do what he loves, especially in front of the home crowd.  This enthusiasm beamed like the strobe lights that lit up the crowd.  His humbleness carries with him off the stage as well; Ultra5280 got to meet with him recently and you can tell he is a great person and talented producer. 

Hailing from Germany and only 22 years old, house DJ Anton Zaslavski, also known as DJ Zedd, was one of the best surprises of the night. He hit the stage after Paul Basic to bridge the gap before Pretty Lights. I'm going to be honest, I hadn't heard much of Zedd's music before Saturday so I didn't have any expectations but I was blown away by the performance.  The beats were fast, the bass was heavy, and the remixes all managed to sound unique.  Frankly, his remixes are the one of the main things that stick with me from the night.  Each song started out easily recognizable before immediately bursting into something completely unique, while keeping the theme of the original song.  I know, I know, that's what a remix is supposed to be, but when it's done well, it's a thing of beauty and no less masterful than the original song.  Zedd played to the crowd spectacularly, and I really can't think of a better way to lead up to Pretty Lights.

During the final preparations before Pretty Lights took the stage the energy and anticipation in the venue hit another level that I've personally never experienced.  And then it happened, the lights dimmed, Pretty Lights took the stage, and a wave of lights, lasers, and bass filled us.  It was then that we realized just how far Pretty Lights has come in such a short period of time. Pretty Lights has found such a loyal following because his music speaks to everyone on a personal level.; it hits them to the core. It's as if he is playing to each person individually even amongst 10,000 other people. 

Pretty Lights built up the crowd for the hour before midnight with a smattering of his best songs. Playing new stuff and then bringing us back to the beginning.  A few hits of the night include "I Know the Truth", "Down the Line", and "Hot Like Sauce".  Pretty Lights played his own rendition of The Allman Brothers' "Midnight Rider" among other popular remixes.  Closing in on midnight, he hit us with Europe's "Final Countdown". This remix has become a Pretty Lights tradition for the New Year's countdown (and one that I hope to be apart of again). It seemed as if the clock would never reach midnight, like a school child waiting for that last bell before summer break, but then the giant LED on stage started it’s crawl to midnight...10 (this is happening) ...9 (oh shit it's really happening)...8 (don't pass out).... 7 (where's my camera) ....6 (don't forget to breathe) .... 5 (only seconds remain) ...4 (I don't want to be anywhere else) ... 3 (it's now approaching midnight) ... 2 (it's been a good year) ... 1 (next year will be even better) ....... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As we looked above a shower of balloons, confetti, and streamers rained down on us as the pretty lights (pun intended) bounced off the faces of everyone present. The quintessential party song, “Celebrate”, was the first song to hit our ears in 2012. The crowd was dancing and smiling as people hugged each other while volleying the giant balloons. There was almost a feeling of relief from the crowd; we had made it another year and were welcomed to 2012 by a favorite artist. Pretty Lights didn't wait long to remind us all that we were there to party long and party hard. He kept playing for another solid hour, stopping only to thank his fans, crew, friends, and family. One of the surprises from his set was a remix he was asked to do by Daft Punk. It was a solid track that I could've listened to on repeat all night. 

When all was said and done I couldn't think of a better way to ring in the New Year. I spent it listening to an amazing artist, hung out with amazing people, and worked with some of the most talented people I know. 

Here is to the start of an amazing year!! 

Kyle

Pretty Lights at The First Bank Center: December 30, 2011: Review

Derek Vincent Smith aka Pretty Lights does his thing.

 Friday night at The First Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado was the first of two nights which welcomed Colorado's own Derek Vincent Smith, known by most as Pretty Lights.  The 9,500 plus in attendance came to dance and the lineup for the party did not dissappoint.  It is pretty amazing to think how far Pretty Lights has come a long in such a short period of time, I still recall seeing him a few years ago when I lived in Fort Collins.  Back then his setup was simple, with only a few strobes thrown in for good measure. Nowadays, he brings a light show unparalled in the industry.

Supervision

Opening the night's festivities was labelmate SuperVision whose unique style and old school approach set him apart from the rest of the Pretty Lights roster.  He kept the early crowd energized with danceable tracks and skillful scratching often associated with the hip hop genre, all while keeping it in the realm of electro.  Flanked with his customary Texas Rangers baseball cap, Richard Blake Hansen gives hip hop a unique element of electro unheard of anywhere else.

Next up was heavy hitter Porter Robinson. Rumor has it that Porter was upset about the lighting, which prompted his reaction to bring it hard.  Yup, he abosutely did.  With a performance and crowd reaction often associated with a headliner, Porter Robinson unleashed his barrage of bass with no avail.  Sampling an array of tracks, it was his version of Avicii's "Level"  that set the crowd into a frenzy.  He also managed to subtly incorporate his version of the Skrillex dance track "A Little Bit More", that wowed the crowd sending them into an all out synchronized bounce once the bass line dropped.  Porter was having a great time motivating the crowd to dance, a participation that is dissolving among artists that play the same set time after time.  It seems that only the passionate artists appreciate the crowd as much as the crowd appreciates them. 

Porter Robinson giving the sold out crowd the thumbs up

The crowd was in a full frenzy once Pretty Lights stage was being set-up, flanked with the house music which blarred out Dead Prez's "Hip Hop" a perfect primer for what was about to go down.  The house lights dimmed and Pretty Lights took the stage for what ended up becoming a full, 3-hour set that left the sold out crowd in a euphoric stage (literally). One great thing about a Pretty Lights show is that you will never see a show as same any other.  This night he incorporated a mix of old and hit us with a few new tracks that will only escalate the level of anticipation for his next album.  He maintained a downtempo feel all night while reaching back into his old hip hop roots with a set that left the often rowdy Pretty Lights crowd to soak in every ounce of musical bliss.  It was a couple of notable favorites that stood out the most including a full crowd sing along of "Finally Moving", and his version of Kanye West's "All of The Lights".  He managed to drop some of his well know remixes including his Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle" which was a major hit during his performance earlier this year at Red Rocks.  Other notable tracks were "Aimin' at Your Head", and "Gazing at The Glare" which went perfect with his hip hop inspiration for the night.  All in all, the crowd was left with a notion that Pretty Lights' set can evoke different states of emotion throughout a show.

 

Castro

 

Pretty Lights performs his version of Kanye West's "All of The Lights"



Paper Diamond at the Ogden Theatre: 11/4: Review



Turnt Up Tour

The Ogden Theatre filled up quickly because the kids were pumped to see the openers as well, Minnesota being the one I was most excited for. This was for two reasons, one he looks exactly like my little brother. In fact, people were coming up to my brother asking him if he was Minnesota. But more so because he had a unique style to dubstep; a more mellow and little bit slower sound. This certainly doesn’t mean he didn’t bring the proper amount of energy needed before Paper Diamond.





twitter

Kyle

Miami Horror, Boy Hollow, Option4 at the Bluebird Theater: 11/3: Review

November third at the Bluebird was definitely an interesting mix of music, but Denver certainly came ready to dance.  Hailing from Colorado Springs, Option4 opened up the night with some quality house mixes, amping the crowd’s energy level.  He never stopped moving for his entire set, and you couldn’t help but move with the music.  He remixed the likes of Bag Raiders and Duck Sauce to great effect, and I expect that Option4’s name will become more recognizable as time goes on.  Another Colorado native, Boyhollow, brought a bit of a heavier, more dubstep-ish sound to the stage, mixing his first song into the last beats of Option4’s closing number.   Most easily recognizable were his remixes of Cut/Copy and Chromeo, all while playing a variety of music. Boyhollow is one of the hardest working DJs in the Denver area. He is the resident DJ at LipGloss and is constantly spinning four or five nights a week throughout the city. Not only is he a solid DJ with a local following, but a truly humble guy.  He shook hands in the crowd while supporting Miami Horror.

At first, the transition from Boyhollow to Miami Horror seemed strange, going from Boyhollow’s mohawk and electro music to the bouncy group of Australian hipsters.  However, once Miami Horror got their electro disco sound rolling, the transition was seamless.  Much to the crowd’s delight, they played almost continuously for the entire set, with a twenty minute stint.  The energy never faded throughout the night, and they proved to be absolute crowd pleasers.  As the chords faded on their final song, the crowd called for an encore, and got what they asked for.  The encore consisted of two songs, the last being a take on The Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime,” bringing a smile to my face.  But, the crowd wasn’t satisfied just yet, and the cries of “One more song!” were rewarded with a second encore. It was apparent that this crowd wasn’t done with the foursome.  Josh Moriarty, the lead singer, proclaimed that this is why they loved Denver, and the music continued.


Laura