So all of us at the Noise Train are still talking about the amazing experience we had during Identity Festival at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Chula Vista, CA and we decided to do one more post that features two more of our favorite performances. We figure that the best way to share our day with you is through this incredible montage of exclusive pics that one of the Noise Train’s contributing photographers, The Bullitt a.k.a. Patrick Flynn, took from around the festival and from the stage.
First up are the shots from Aoki’s main set he did later in the evening. His light up name was completely spell binding and his scaffolding definitely got the crowd’s attention. The other shots of Aoki are from the earlier in the day, as we mentioned in one of our previous posts, because he filled in for Afrojack until he arrived at the venue. Afrojack finally arrived and with their powers combined they absolutely killed it. Check out these shots and let us know what you think! Happy Friday party people.
Kaskade was one of Identity Festival’s headlining acts and a huge crowd favorite. For lack of better words, he killed it. As expected, Kaskade‘s performance was coupled with an amazing light show as spun atop an LED tower that blew the minds and electrified the hearts of festival goers. Confetti cannons fired into the crowd, smoke blowers blasted the orchestra pit and the masterfully designed light show all gave the crowd a visual experience that will definitely be a summer highlight for all.
Music is in the experience as much as the visual effects of electronic dance music and this was an experience to remember. Grab Kaskade’s Essential Mix he played on BBC Radio1 on September 10th. It’s a two hour set that will give you a ton of insight into the mind of one of the best electronic dance music producers in the scene and it’s sure to get you moving.
Here are some photo highlights from one of the Noise Train’s regular contributors, Patrick Flynn!
Finally found some time to reminisce about last week’s Identity Festival in San Diego and it’s giving me the itch to get over to another rave as soon as possible! Though the Noise Train’s arrival to the Cricket Amphitheater was a little delayed, we managed to make it in time for Hercules & Love Affair and Holy Ghost! at the Dim Mak Records stage. It was at these performances that we eased into the festival atmosphere, met a ton of new friends, tagged some ravers with the Noise Train stamp, and broke in our dancing shoes. While these two bands grooved, massive crowds began to pour in, but not before we got some killer shots up close (post to follow with photos from the Bullitt)!
Next stop, Datsik, who stepped up to the tables and went in HARD! Talk about a change of pace from electro rock to mind numbing dubstep. The two-stepping, head bobbing crowd exploded with energy and threw up their hands with every break and drop. This was definitely a personal afternoon highlight and by far the festival’s heaviest dubstep set.
We finally pulled ourselves away from the Dim Mak stage and cruised over to catch Afrojack on the main stage. Apparently even internationally recognized Producer/DJ’s aren’t immune to the hassle of traffic jams. While waiting for Afrojack to make his way to the venue, Steve Aoki dazzled the crowd with an impromptu opener and some exclusive new productions of hard-pounding house. However, as the sun began to set, Afrojack began to “take over control” of the decks with a monstrous set. It was apparent from the vast number of festival attendees, bouncing from the front of the pit to the top of the amphitheater, that this had to be the biggest Identity Fest crowd to amass yet! With our blood still pumping to the beat of Dutch House, we darted off into the night to stop at the RockStar Energy Drink tent and watch Crystal Method deliver a masterful performance.
Crystal Method’s set was mesmerizing to say the least and if you haven’t seen their stage design yet, it’s sure to impress. Custom built by one of Scott and Ken’s buddies, Crystal Method’s gears and instruments were situated upon a welded a light fixture. Just picture a massive, industrial-looking arch that resembles an electronic command station. Take a look at these pics that TCM took at the show last Friday.
With the nightlife rave energy in full swing, Pretty Lights hypnotized the crowd. Playing from a huge LED tower on the main stage, the DJ/Producer lulled festival goers into a rocking trance. Remixes of Pink Floyd, hiphop beats, and uplifting house commanded the crowd’s full attention. All in all, Pretty Lights had the most stunning and stimulating light show at the festival, but the thudding bass of Steve Aoki in the distance drew me back over to the Dim Mak stage.
Whatever you’ve heard about Steve Aoki’s out of control, high-energy sets is completely true. Though he had to fill in for Afrojack earlier in the day, Aoki completely lived up to his reputation and delivered a huge set of nonstop bangers atop his seemingly 100-foot tall scaffolding. Closing his set with Warp, the crowd shouted in unison, “1, 2, WOOP! WOOP!” and got charged up for Kaskade’s headlining set.
Kaskade killed it. Enough said. No but seriously, his set was well worth the wait and his stage design created an intimate ambiance that encapsulated the entire amphitheater. Deep house was one of the first genres that got me into electro music and Kaskade has mastered and perfected by producing and performing its sound. Here’s a little piece he threw together on Youtube that includes both of his performances in San Diego and San Francisco.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to see all the artists at the show and I’m super bummed because this is the second time I missed Nero. Nonetheless, this was definitely the best electro festival to roll across the U.S. this summer and we can’t wait for next year. If you were at any of the Identity shows and have some experiences that you want to share, let us know and leave a comment!
I’ll start this week’s post by saying that Identity Fest was everything we hoped for and so much more! Every artist absolutely killed it and the crowds energy just kept rising and rising throughout the day. Keep checking in with us as one of our new contributors adds some of his festival highlights and photos of the performances including Afrojack, Holy Ghost!, Datsik, Kaskade and more. I’ll also follow up with a full fest review soon but in the meantime, we want to share our appreciation for other electronic dance music fans.
Here’s a few pics of some party people we met at the show! Big up to everyone who sported the Noise Train stamps at the fest!
Did you have an awesome time at any of the Identity shows? Let us know by shooting us a comment! Better yet, send us your pics!
