This topic is locked
In an attempt to see as many bands as I could touring this side of the States that I otherwise would have seen at Coachella, I found myself at the Mezzanine tonight in San Francisco, a club near the financial district. Firstly, let me say that Soulwax played, once again, an amazing set, performing as Night Versions and going through not only their own material on the album of the same name, but also other well known club anthems which have resounded dance floors across the world. They pose the question--would you like to dance for the next hour and a half? If your answer is no, their only response is, wrong answer.
They carry an amazing energy with them on stage, and their presence is undeniable. So many San Franciscans might have expected just another night out at the club, but found themselves grooving, cheering, and jumping to the beats, accompanied by precision synths and bass in harmonious melodies, echoing sweetly through the crowd. There was no room for pause, no moment for rest. It was straight forward, thumping track after track, smoothly transitioning from one song to the next, moving together seamlessly as one, guided by their amazing drummer.
Though I have seen them once before, I'd have to say that I was even more impressed seeing them again, and had just as much if not more fun than the last. Thank you Soulwax. You rocked my Friday night, and not to mention my world.
After a brief intermission where a DJ of unknown status displayed some skill behind the decks, David and Stephen Dewaele, also known as 2ManyDJs, jumped on board and started spinning and mixing with impressive skill. Their set moved from samples of Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" and "Sweet Dreams" to the likes of The Chemical Brothers "Electronic Battle Weapon 9" and Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name." I was most impressed and enjoyed hearing them spin Daft Punk's first ten minutes of Alive 1997, and was awed when I heard the Talking Heads' "Just what I Needed" come in late in the set.
I really love the range of 2ManyDJs, and also having followed the electronic scene for the past few years, liked being able to recognize nearly all of what they were spinning. Among other's that I recognized were Justice's D.A.N.C.E., Daft Punk's "Rollin' and Scratchin'," and classic House of Pain with "Jump Around." Seriously, going from The Chems to Rage to House of Pain was an amazing sequence, and my body didn't stop moving for very, very long time. And as I sit here writing this, it's giving me subtle reminders that, yes, Red Bull does allow one to forget that one doesn't necessarily just get up and dance for five hours straight every night.
They were two awesome sets, and really I could not have asked for a better night, with even a bit of dancefloor naughtiness to accompany it all. Because, hey, what's more fun than letting yourself go in the moment? The night confirmed, once again, that Soulwax remains my newest favorite, and I'll continue to seek out their shows whenever they travel anywhere near my zip code.
-andy
MultiQuote
