Photo credit: Galen Oakes
The Innervisions showcase in Los Angeles, the first of its kind at historic Pershing Square, went off without a hitch on May 18th. Well, if you can handle a little rain that is. For me the showcase, highlighted by a four-hour Âme b2b Dixon set, was the perfect combination of intimate setting, booming sound, beautiful surroundings, and fantastic vibes.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this show, especially the headlining slot with Âme and Dixon, but all expectations went out the window when I saw the setup, heard the tunes, and saw the friends.
From a visual perspective the showcase offered a stimulating experience. Though Pershing Square is surrounded by downtown city buildings, the palm trees interlaced with the concrete jungle created this urban tropical vibe that few other musical experiences can offer. If you’ve been to CRSSD in San Diego there was a similar feeling here. I was also impressed by the lightning as that added a mysterious ambiance as the skies opened up and rain poured down toward the end of the event.
Musically I was all in on the Âme b2b Dixon set. Individually they can create somewhat predictable sets with lower BPM four-on-the-floor Deep Tech and tribal elements, but together they spanned a favorable range even adding elements of Disco and House to their set. This was one of those events where the sound was tuned perfectly and, because we could get so close to the DJ area (not quite a stage, but a canopy-protected area to ensure equipment wouldn’t get ruined), I felt badly for anyoe without ear plugs. I even spoke to a friend who lived nearby and inside his apartment with the windows shut he couldn’t escape the music.
Dixon and Âme have certainly made a name for themselves over the years and as world-renowned DJs and taste makers there’s likely no signs of slowing down. This party was a testament to their stamp on the electronic world, their dedicated following, and their ability to allow a traditionally party-free zone to embrace the sounds of global dance music and celebrate a fantastic Saturday in May. I hope to see more of these to come to a city near you!