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Review Sun Mar 03 2013
REVIEW: Major Lazer @ the Congress Theater
(Photo by Steve Stearns)
(Photo by Steve Stearns)
It didn't take long for Diplo to show us his balls on Saturday night.
Don't worry, I'm not talking about anything graphic. About 15 minutes into Major Lazer's set at the Congress Theater, the dancehall/dubstep DJ collective brought two giant human hamster balls to the stage, proceeded to climb inside and surf the crowd. It's not the first time an artist has done something like this during their show, but it was still super fun to watch.
(Photo by Steve Stearns)
Major Lazer's members were joined on stage by two tireless Jamaican dancers and a DJ stand modeled after a giant boombox so impressive it would make Radio Raheem jealous. And the hamster balls weren't the only trick they had up there sleeves. Confetti, crowd participation and a terrific light show dominated the set. We even did the Harlem Shake!
(Photo by Steve Stearns)
Increasingly popular DJ/producer Diplo has been through a few partners during his days as the founding member of Major Lazer but the group's music has remained solid. Now gearing up for the release of their second album, Free the Universe, the collective seems to have found new permanent members in producers Jamillionaire and Walshy Fire (these kids and their crazy nicknames...). Both proved to be successful hype men whose blaring personalities complimented their blonde ringleader's modestly "cool" approach to performing.
(Photo by Steve Stearns)
Diplo's tendencies behind the decks on Saturday were almost as all over the map as his multiple musical projects. The beats quickly shifted from dancehall to electronic dance to hip hop and back again. Even for a DJ set, the songs were played in an especially rapid and spastic manner. Though this might sound off-putting, it left no room for lulls and made the near two-hour set fly by. The DJs did slow things down for their newest single, the lackadaisical and dreamy "Get Free." Unfortunately, it's not often enough that DJs remember to value variety. Thank you, Major Lazer, for a set that kept us on our toes and on the dancefloor all night long.
(Photo by Steve Stearns)
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Duckworth / March 5, 2013 9:03 PM
its Jillionaire. not Jamillionaire