> Anyone have to scoop for the poor souls who couldn't get to Chicago? Brilliant, what a weekend, phew. I'll try and provide something here, there were several 313ers there though, Theakston among the 'original nutters' yeah boyee!. The headz were out for this one, a nice age range in the crowd for a change too.. but There should have been more people but that's a techno show in Chicago for ya. ;) there was ample room to get down.
Party promotion could have been a lot better but hey it's MA's first show in Chicago so I can't complain. They played great (although they'll tell you differently -- not having a soundcheck beforehand..). I did the WNUR radio show on friday with Dave Siska and special guest MC Dan Sicko on the mic for a second beforehand so we got there a bit late, but here's what I saw: The opener was (Watts Music dance buyer) Harry the Bastard, who "DJ'd". Then, next up Metro area live, whoooo. Morgan and Darshan having a good time and massaging the funk into their machines, bobbing and trading places on the gear constantly, improvising freeflow (much as they did during the Seventh City DEMF afterparty a few years ago). Changing places constantly on the machines seems to add a nice flow and dynamic nature to their sets, it's cool to see. Dar getting crazy with the electric tom toms and some extra samples and effects sprinkled throughout a massive range of their material. Sometimes the sound was so deep at the bottom end even the system couldn't handle it (during "Evidence" especially), but still what an amazing track to hear on a big sytem. It felt like the reverb physically moved you around the room.. Crowd favorites included (I think, but I always mix up the names) Atmosphirique, Caught Up, and Pina... plus a couple of new cuts off the new album. This is a live show not to miss, if you can't wiggle during these funky electronic tracks you never HAD any wiggle to begin with... It helps that they are obviously enjoying themselves onstage during the set and feeling the music, Darshan has that funky shoulder-shrug action perfected! ha ha -- it's just a great music experience all around. I think Larry H. was downstairs in the smartbar around this time so I regret I missed his whole set! Somebody else care to fill in? I never made it downstairs. Rob hood was already described but after a hip hop track intro, he spun an unrelenting set of techno, surgical mixes and pure detroit sounds, highlight was incorporation of some live sequences of his own into the mix, and for a short bit a vocalist. I didn't recognize much but some tracks from Minimal Nation and also Rhythim is Rhythim 'Kaos' were pleasant surprises in a moving dark wall of techno sound. Pretty opposite Metro Area in terms of tempo and pounding-ness (ha) but made for a diverse evening of talent. Drinks were raining down like a monsoon by this point but I do remember them kicking everyone out around 4:30. Then, Saturday night was a nice surprise for anyone who was aware: the booked DJ for SmartBar on Saturday missed his flight -- so Darshan from Metro Area and Nick Nick Calingaert (AKA - Common Factor) filled in on late notice for a HISTORIC tag-team set of classic dancefloor boogie delights, hitting all the high notes from Prelude, West End, Prescription, Nu Groove, and similar rare electronic and bumpin italo and classy disco vibes. School was in session. Rob Theakston was again heard hootin amongst the beats. Check out some great new cuts by Common Factor on his TACTILE label, including a recent team-up with Steve Bug (The Pull EP) Saturday night we then jetted west to try and catch the tail end of DJ Bone and Alan Oldham at the 773 techno night, but alas too late, they shut down around 3. Great weekend for electronic music in Chicago and let's hope we can get Metro Area back here soon either to DJ or play another live gig! and also speaking of Smart Bar, if you're in Chicago don't miss John Tejada with Dave Siska (of WNUR's Clinically Inclined) both DJing there this Thursday night. peace, Matt MacQueen
