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.
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!
Summer concert season is just heating up and it’s time the Whomping Wednesday series shed some light on the NoiseTrain’s next stop on our summer festival run: Skullcandy’s Identity Festival. With it’s national tour stretching from New Jersey to Seattle, the Identity Crew has organized a line up that’s going to keep North America’s hands in the air all summer long. While their line up my vary from city to city with DJ’s like Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Afrojack, Nero, Skrillex, Booka Shade, Avicii, Rusko, Steve Aoki and Pete Tong dropping in and out of the tour, every show is sure to impress.
If you can’t make it to an Identity show, it’s a bummer but not to worry, their website and a ton of the artists performing are posting photos, videos, blog posts, tweets (@IDENTITYfest) and updates on their incredible app so you can still catch a glimpse of all the fest has to offer from coast to coast.
The NoiseTrain crew is kicking off Labor Day weekend with a massive WHOMP! and rolling down the tracks (literally… we’ll probably take the train down and party the whole way) to the San Diego show at the Cricket Wireless Ampitheater. Hope to see some of you in San Diego and be on the lookout if you want to get stamped with the NoiseTrain logo!
The long anticipated Orange County Pacific Festival took place this past weekend and we hope you had the chance to check it out! Big up to all of our friends that made it happen…all of us at the NoiseTrain can’t wait until next year! For those of you who weren’t able to attend, the festival took place on a gorgeous day made for indy and electro sounds, and even though we can’t do it justice, this post is going to attempt to give you some semblance of what you missed. Keep an eye out for an upcoming NoiseTrain post from photographer Braedon… his shots say far more than words.
August 13th started bright and early per Steve Aoki’s request and our first stop was Steffi Graf on the Lakeside stage. Settled amidst an amazing backdrop of Irvine Lake, cabana-esk coverings, palm trees, and beautiful sun, these guys’ live percussion, synth, and mixing got the day started off right. Steffi Graf was followed by Posso, a dashing duo comprised of two ladies whose sexy looks match their music. Posso’s jazz-house beats, “uppity” piano riffs, and overall dancy tempo propelled everyone’s spirits upwards and onwards.
Our next stop was to see Wishengrad spin at the Red Bull stage. Though considered one of the smaller stages, the Red Bull truck made a big impression on The Noise Train. Quite possibly one of the coolest automobiles we have ever seen, the Red Bull stage was situated on a giant truck, providing a fun and unconventional pit-stop for festival goers. It was apparent, from the enthusiastic crowd dancing to remixes of Miike Snow and the XX, that Wishengrad earned his Red Bull wings. With so many other people to see and stages to explore, we decided to race over and catch !!! Chk Chk Chk’s set at the Main stage where we lounged with all of our friends in the VIP section. As expected, !!! Chk Chk Chk did not disappoint.
A giant in stature and reputation, Englishman, Calvin Harris, took hold of the decks and rocked one of the biggest crowds to amass at the Dim Mak main stage that day. Harris’ incredible live set reminded us all that “these are the best days of our lives so put on a smile and everything will be all right.” With little to no delay between sets, Steve Aoki took control and kept the crowd bouncing into the night whilst dropping banger after banger. The Aoki and Harris duo provided Pacific Festival goers with the perfect amount of momentum to propel them head first into the ultimate hip-thrusting, cape-wearing performance of Ghostland Observatory. Those in attendance might agree when we say, the quirkly and fun Ghostland rivaled festival headliners.
After so much time spent at the at the main stage, we were lured back, via pounding beats, flashing lights, and spirited dancing, to the Lakeside stage. As the phrase, “Do you like bass?” rang out over the airwaves during Classixx, a resounding yes erupted, while ravers boogied and bounced around on the shore with ear to ear grins. Fred Falke followed shortly after and from what we can recall, the NoiseTrain team was caught up in a whirlwind of house music, nonstop dancing, and hands in the air. Arguably the life of the party last Saturday, Classixx and Fred Falke were two sets that stole our heart.
Aforementioned, Braedon will be posting his best photos from the day as well as giving you a few of his festival highlights, so stay tuned.
All Aboard!!! The Pacific Fest has come and gone and the next stop on The Noise Train’s summer festival line is the Identity Festival in Chula Vista, CA.
