I saw Chris Lake at Project Glow Festival this past Saturday, which amazingly happened on Pennsylvania Avenue, right next to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This is new territory for me, as I am generally not a fan of EDM or most electronic-focused music at all and I’ve only been to two other true live DJ shows, but I am not writing this to bring down the genre. As a matter of fact, I’m trying to show my respect for it. After seeing this show, I am certainly more understanding of live EDM’s appeal.
Fan Context
I love live music and my beef with EDM has been that it just never feels truly live to me. In no way do I think being a DJ and making electronic music doesn’t require talent, but I do not know what they’re actually doing up there on stage. It feels like all the work goes into making their mixes, and then playing them live is relatively easy. Now don’t come for my head, I’m well aware that I could be wrong about this, but this is just what it seems like from my view. Please inform me on anything I might be ignorant to.
Lastly, on the music in general outside of live performance, I don’t enjoy listening to EDM. I find it mostly jarring and not pleasant to my ear. And by pleasant I don’t mean “soft music” necessarily – I saw Metallica a couple months ago and loved it, although metal is not my go-to either, I’m generally a fan of rock, alternative, some folk, etc. And while lyrics really appeal to me, it’s not even the lack of lyrics in EDM, as I also like instrumental music a lot (Khruangbin is one of my favorite bands). I did have a friend once tell me that EDM is like “taking the safety off the gun,” which is probably the metaphor that opened me to it most, marking how it allows creativity in its unpredictability, which I respect. But still, it just hasn’t satisfied me. House music I’m a little more open to just because I think it’s a less overwhelming listen, but that’s about as far as I go.
And the two other live DJ sets I’ve been to are Laszewo at a bar in Brooklyn, and Diplo at Firefly in 2021.
The Show
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, this show was special, regardless of whether or not I was a fan of the music being played. I realized that EDM shows might be just as much about the overall spectacle than the music itself, and that’s how it could (potentially) appeal to anyone. You could probably say that about any show for any music, but I think it’s very prominent in the culture of electronic music, and maybe more than others. And in this case, the spectacle was especially incredible. The weather played a factor in that, as it always does with any outdoor show, but it was gorgeous outside and the coolest thing about it was where we were: Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of D.C., directly in front of the capitol building, with the Washington Monument basking in the sunlight and then the moonlight as the night went on, staring down into an outrageously joyous scene lighting up the street below. And it’s just a mile from the White House, for those who don’t know. At one point, Chris Lake came over the microphone (I believe right before a beat drop) and said, “I can’t believe they’re letting us do this.” It was awesome.
Anyways, still speaking on the spectacle, the lights from the stage were ridiculous, of course. There’s something about when the music is building in a DJ set, when it’s a little quieter, and you just realize the sea of people swaying around as if almost coordinated. It’s like you are truly interacting with the music only. A band will have a singer who interacts with the crowd occasionally throughout a set, and is vocally interacting with them every time they sing. But at an EDM show, it’s as if the music is completely controlling the crowd. The creatures, I should say, because these shows are where the true creatures come out. And honestly, it’s fucking awesome. It’s not my thing, I don’t think you’ll ever get me to dress like an EDM fan at a festival, and it’s a little scary, but it’s still awesome. It’s like for a moment, we’ve all become aliens at an EDM show. As the music changes unpredictably, and as each drop comes, you stare into the lights and let the sound take you to another universe. And obviously, on the proper drugs, that can be an out-of-this-world feeling. I saw Tame Impala at Firefly as well as Diplo, and my friend turned to me in the middle of the set while we were rolling and said something like, “Close your eyes. Think of something that stresses you out. Now open your eyes and look at the stage.” And while this wasn’t an EDM show, I think this mindset applies to experiencing live EDM. There’s a clear connection to the music that allows people to go somewhere else and wash away worry, and maybe even become someone else – transform into a creature, if you will.
Speaking on the music, this was the first time I really felt like I could compare DJs. I got there early enough to see all of Joy Anonymous’s set, and when Chris Lake came on, it was clear that he was better. Not that Joy Anonymous was bad, and I don’t really have much depth in my analysis of a DJ, but Chris Lake’s music was more awesome. And I mean that by the physical definition, if that makes sense – it was just more powerful. I didn’t necessarily have a favorite moment or anything, but he was… more creative with his mix? I guess one moment that stood out to me was when he mixed in “Thunderstruck,” that was pretty unexpected. Not the song choice itself, but when he mixed it in it was just extra surprising, I guess.
The one thing I will say is god damn, this was a long set. He played from 7:30 to 10:00 and I can only sway back and forth and throw my hands in the air for so long, I don’t know how you freaks do it (I mean that as a term of endearment). I don’t need a show that long even for music that I love. So, it did drag on a bit too long for my liking. Also, a note for the festival itself – the beer line was a total lost cause in between Joy Anonymous and Chris Lake. It was just a sardine gathering of people and was totally fucked. I’m not upset about it, it’s expected at a festival like this. But I’m just saying, it was by far the most unorganized and chaotic system I’ve ever experienced. Honestly, it’s pretty funny thinking about it now. Those poor bartenders.
Anyways, this was a really cool show. It didn’t make me enjoy EDM much more when it comes to listening to it, but it did make me gain a greater respect for the experience of the genre’s live shows. They are special when done well, and I think it’s really important to see all kinds of live music to build a perspective and appreciation for it all.
So for those of you on the outside of EDM, go see Chris Lake, or just go see a DJ set in general. Especially at a festival, if you can. The spectacle for Diplo at Firefly was also amazing. Look around as much as possible. Let the scene and the music take you somewhere else.
If you were at this show, please add your perspective. Tell me I’m dead wrong, tell me I’m right. Tell me I’m slightly off. Tell me something about Chris Lake or EDM and I’ll be happy.
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