When Zeds Dead tours through Chicago for a trifecta of dates, one picks a night to spend with the world renowned duo. For this story, that selection happened to be Friday, December 15th. Complete with supporting performances from BLXK MNTN, Boyarbeatz, Khiva, and Friction, the night slammed with energy all the way through until the very end. There was even a lesson or two along the way: rubbish tossers are unpleasant, and checklists are good. One is unnecessary behavior, and the other ensures proper equipment is on hand, and that batteries are charged, if only for a single evening of entertainment. With Zeds Dead, one night is all one needs.
I entered The Salt Shed a shade before 9:30pm. Boyarbeatz was finishing with strength before relinquishing momentum to Khiva, a delightfully energetic entertainer, whose track selection will have audiences boppin’, poppin’, and rockin’. She isn’t opposed to seasoning tracks with fresh and filthy lyrics, a discovery I made at Wakaan earlier this year. Tonight, however, she let her tunes do most of the talking.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I think of artists and producers akin to storytellers. Some stories are light-hearted, fluttery, and melty. Others are gritty and grimy, with plenty of teeth. Thankfully, Khiva’s style harmonizes more with the latter. From the get-go, she brawls. Musical massacre, straight blasting audiences with sonic brutality in the loveliest of ways. Rhythms rumbling low and hard, peaking into melodious moments of pure bliss. Even from a distance, you can feel how much excitement this young lady exudes. Watching her bounce behind the decks, her smiling face reflects many of the emotions I feel, her musical craftsmanship on full display for audiophiles to delight in and enjoy. It’s good, and great. As a matter of fact, phenomenal! Her beats get this bear swiftly movin’ and groovin’. Like a sonic soothsayer, her audio symphony engulfs my attention, connotating futuristic dreamscapes actively in the making.
It’s about 10:30pm when Khiva’s composition concludes. Friction due up next, with an arsenal of drum and bass from across the pond. As long as I’m mentioning things I’ve said before, I might as well reinform you, I’m a hearty fan of drum and bass. I’m one of those guys driving around town blowing out speakers, blasting DnB. I imagine Friction’s actions similar, as he navigates London streets. Although, he’s likely got his own personal driver, and a MUCH better sound system, so he can let loose without worrying about loss of control. That reminds me, I need to replace one blown speaker.
Friction is a spirited performer, and he connects through a hard hitting style that tempers furious and wild. After a brief introduction, a declaration of his mission statement, he sets about representing. Excellent. His track list has me reflecting on memories from the past. He drops a rendition of “Back To Your Roots” that gets me up and droppin’ it low. For nearly ninety minutes, his skillful construction of audial landscapes delights myself and the throngs of other attendees. Sign me up for more Friction, ever and always. This man killed it as the preface to the performance that the majority in attendance assembled for. About midnight, the final transition between acts takes place. Zeds Dead baby, Zeds Dead.
One of the things that really impressed me about Zeds Dead’s presentation was how it felt specially curated for this audience and city. Throughout, audio and visual clips celebrated Chicago. It started with a rendition of the iconic track from the Allan Parsons Project, “Sirius”, a song any Chicago Bulls fan instantly recognizes. That carried into a montage of one of Chicago’s most beloved stars, Michael Jordan, owning the court in Bull’s uniform. These might seem innocuous and simple details, but it connected. Folks cherish a love for their city through the entertainment it represents. There have been few dynasties as dominant as the Chicago Bulls, and their iconic brand is recognized throughout the world. It felt sincere of this legendary Canadian twosome to acknowledge the history of one of America’s lasting metropolis’s, and it goes to show the level of forethought and preparation that goes into shows of this magnitude.
After this touching introduction, we pretty much soared the remainder of the night and into the early morning. Zeds Dead engaged the entire armory of technology at their disposal. Decks, lasers, lights, fog machines, and screens. Full power, Scotty. Next thing you know, I’m re-experiencing clips from Star Trek: The Next Generation, a staple of my upbringing. Familiar faces of Lieutenant Worf, Geordie LaForge, Jean Luc Picard, and other aspects of the iconic show take me back to a simpler time. It serves as a reminder that we are in control of where our adventures take us. Never alone, we assemble crews to support our missions. Like Marcus Aurelius spoke over 1800 years ago, and this is paraphrase mind you, fear of the unknown should not keep us cowering beneath bedsheet and linen, for the world moves on with, or without, us. What did Captain Picard say? Let me hit you with another paraphrase. Let us boldly strike forth, together, in discovering the untapped potential of our unknown.
Now, there were a couple of instances that gave me pause, and I’m going to take some time to touch on something that irks me, quite a bit. What the hell is the point in throwing trash? Agitation? Boredom? Laziness? Narcissism? Research? It was towards the end of Friction’s set, when some hooligans start launching garbage into the air onto unsuspecting folk below. “Garbage inside, garbage in hand that I now throw.” I’m befuddled, that’s not what’s meant by tossing it out! In my mind, people who don’t pick up after themselves and make their mess someone else’s responsibility are a pox on our communities. Now that you’ve released it, it’s no longer your problem? That’s a garbage solution when refuse containers are never far away. I guess to some, the whole world is a trash heap.
Bro, I can’t even fathom this kind of mindset. It’s degenerative and completely disrespectful. Truth be told, I take pride in picking up after myself. That’s one of the reasons I keep getting invited to go places. I monitor my mess, and take action to clean it up. Self-respect extends to others. There’s a garbage can a mere thirty feet away? It could be a hundred yards, I got this, homie. Give me your trash, I’m making a run for the team! Touchdown!!! Golly gee, it’s nacho cheese fries at Summer Camp 2016 all over again. Who just leaves a full plate of melted queso covered fried fritters in the middle of a walkway, anyhow? I wish I didn’t have to cover this topic, and likely it won’t be the last time, but I’m not giving up until my time here is officially done.
Despite the limited, few unpleasant displays of humanity I witnessed, I’m happy to report that Zeds Dead is alive, well, and thriving, baby! Likewise, most of the community that came out in support are lovely representations of human like organisms that just want to let loose alongside some friendly faces and explore a unique set of experiences. Awesome! Bruv, I’m all about that life!
If Zeds Dead schedules a stop near your area, I recommend setting aside some time to spend with this fabled pair. You’ll be happy you did, even despite a few, unsatisfactory rubbish tossers. The action on stage through the performers they enlist will inspire you to pursue your own adventures to further lengths, to venturesomely endeavor emprises previously unexplored, using your own unique talents and flare to light the way. Check your lists and charge your batteries. You’ll be glad you did.
Be well, be successful. Bear Swiftly.
–Electro Scribe–
