April 6th, 2010

PROJEK:ViRAM - feat. Andy C, Ed Rush&Optical, GQ presented by Destiny and Torontojungle.com
aka meathouse

10:30pm There’s already a long line to get in. 15 minutes later the search is on, and what a peculiar one it was. I’m asked me to take off my sweater and to go towards this pungent girl who goes through my pockets three times. Then, the most shocking of it all, she slips her fingers in my bra and claims that all girls get this routine check. No messing around in T.dot!

Once inside, imagine yourself in a gigantic club with schizophrenic lighting going in all directions, smoke machines, a big stage, a field of speakers and subs. Bigger is better! Am I in the USA?

Whenever I attend a show with live sets, I evaluate in three categories: track selection, mixing (technical aspect) and the dj’s overall storyline (what kind of vibe the mix is laying out).

Mystical Influence: Unfortunately, I got in too late to get a chance to catch his set.

Red One: For all three aspects, his set was nice. It sounded like a good introduction to
dnb for uneducated groupies, it was cute but unimpressive.

Ed Rush and Optical: After having heard Ed Rush solo a year earlier, I was more than curious to hear the duo for a live set . When it comes to the track selection, they offered a few classics and stayed true to their sound. On another note, the mixing started off a little awkward but after a few tracks the duo caught on to the wave. Overall, the set was as crazy as expected and beyond. I really enjoyed hearing this team.

Andy C: Holy moley! I had the impression of being at the right place, at the right moment. It was completely overwhelming. I’ve always been a sucker for the Amen break and well … I got served! He played many classics and sick tracks that put a huge smile on my face. Technically speaking, I have nothing to say other than: wow! Taken as a whole, it felt like running through a cartoon forest at the speed of light, it doesn’t get any better than that.

Marcus Intalex: In general, his set was appropriate with some comforting liquid funk although didn’t fancy the mixing too much, it was a little rushed. Although, one has to consider the fact that he was the last on the lineup, he played after a heavy headliner and half the crowd had left. I tip my hat to him for pulling through nicely.

GQ knows how the drum rolls; he didn’t overplay his part and interacted a lot with the crowd. Nevertheless, the others (MC JD, Caddy Cad and Trajady) were yapping away like a bunch grannies over tea.
When it comes to emceeing, I believe there is a very, very fine line not to cross, especially with dnb. Rhyming is necessary, but in moderation, too much of it is like using an entire lemon tree for one glass of lemonade. The nonstop blabbering in the microphone becomes annoying and overpowers the music. Isn’t it supposed to be about the beats? Emcees of the world, take note: less is more. Then again, I speak as an unrelenting instrumentalist; notes first, then words, if there’s room.

With over 2000 heads, this was by far the biggest dnb event I’ve ever attended. I was truly impressed with the show altogether. It was like visiting another planet where everything is so unfamiliar, yet so captivating. However, I prefer my drum and bass in a darker, smaller venue surrounded by sweaty wacko junglists like myself. Obviously my word is not law, opinions do vary and that’s the beauty of it all.

Toronto = quantity
Montréal = quality
One ♥ to bring us all together