LIVE: STEVE AOKI – February 22, 2018

Venue: Royal Oak Music Theatre

City: Royal Oak, MI

Date: February 22, 2018

Review and Photographs by: Todd ‘Toddstar’ Jolicoeur (http://www.toddstarphotography.com)

I have seen so many bands and performers over the years… some at the start of their careers, some at the end (or way past it depending on who you ask), and others at the pinnacle.  Having never seen Steve Aoki do what he does, I was curious to see what he does to pack a venue.  I got that completely correct, as a venue I have been to many times was completely packed waiting for Aoki and his mixes.  After catching rapper Desiigner’s set, I waited with everyone else during a very short set change hoping to see what what so engaging about a DJ.  Once the lights dimmed, the music started, and the curtain dropped – I understood.  This isn’t necessarily about any one song or genre, but about the vibe and party.  Moving from side to side, hanging behind his setup long enough to put the music and beats into queue, and then taking a mic and moving to the front of the stage to get close to his fans, Aoki knew what the crowd wanted and how to deliver.  A high point arrived for me early, as a Linkin Park remix popped into the set, complete with video and the familiar vocals of Chester Bennington.  Aoki is very proud of the work he did with the band and you could tell he was about bringing the energy and fun of that project to the crowd in a Detroit suburb.  I am typically charged up with teh sound of a wailing guitar… dazzling antics from a front man, and a heavy anchoring bottom end form a rhythm section, I totally understood the need and draw to the music sailing from the venue’s sound system.  This was all about fun and a good time… with friends new and old, with other lovers of the music and genre, and the universe… this wasn’t about sound, but unity.  It may not be “your thing” – it wasn’t mine… in the beginning, but who can argue with a good time regardless of the setting and the music???

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries