About a week ago, I rolled out to Radius in Chicago, IL for an outstanding assembly of talent dubbed DnB All-Stars. Drum and Bass is one of my favorite genres of electronic music, and this lineup featured a bevy of talent that I was keen to see. Among those who drew my greatest interest were Kanine, Andy C, and Wilkinson. Thus, I had to check this shindig out. When drum and bass comes to town, and it’s your soundtrack through so many parts of your day, you owe it to yourself to attend all-star action with some of the scene’s heaviest hitters. Saddle up and settle in. Bear Swiftly, the Electro Scribe, is about to eloquently depict this DnB themed occasion on behalf of the global community.
I had two tickets to attend this happening, and I decided to do something a little different this time around. With this event taking place in December, the natural holiday season, I took to the EDM Chicago Facebook group and offered my extra pass to another lover of DnB for free ninety-nine. All I asked in return was a story of how drum and bass fits into their life.
Truthfully, I’ve been banging DnB daily, and hourly, for at least the past few years. There’s something about how these tracks are composed that draws, and keeps, my attention. I recently discovered Kanine’s track, ‘XTC’, and I listened to it nonstop on repeat for, something like, three days. Yea, yea, yea, I know… It sounds crazy!!! I’ve heard that before. I’ll be honest with you, I’m a bit off-kilter, but I got the spirit. Anyway, a couple of kit-kats actually ended up responding to my offer and contributed their own personal tales of what drum and bass means to them. After that, it wasn’t a tough decision. I sent my extra ticket on its way to a young lady who we will call ‘Chay’, who told me a story of how much drum and bass has provided her.
‘Chay’ was super appreciative of my gesture, and we’d meet up at the show for introductions. She was nothing short of pleasant, and even bought me a few beverages as a “Thank you”. That’s elite etiquette, right thurr. Well played, young lady. Your conduct is on point. As we got to chatting a bit, she revealed she used to cover the drum and bass scene abroad. Fuck yea, and far out! This caught me by surprise momentarily, and reaffirmed gifting her my extra ticket even more the right decision in my mind. She starts flipping through her phone, showing me contacts for a couple of the artists playing this night, along with some pics of the very first DnB All-Stars event that took place in London, July 2019. I told her to put her phone away and settle down a bit, she’d already earned my respect. Plus, I know the truth. Much of the best DnB comes from across the pond, almost like it was born there.
Alright, back to the action! I walked into Radius around 1030PM just as Kanine took the stage. Straight out the gate, he started burying bangers in my cerebellum. My hips got loose, my shoulders juked, and I was dropping my back end down low, nearly touching the floor. Yeee yeee, my knees still have plenty of flexibility. Kanine sequenced tracks like Culture Shock’s ‘The Time is Now’, Fox Stevenson’s DnB remix of ‘Gold Dust’, and Friction’s ‘Your Love’ among his own originals throughout his set. Drum and bass often feels like a rollercoaster, and I was soaring through highs and lows, twisting and turning my body with every beat. One could never accuse me of being part of a “quiet crowd” at a concert like this.
Next up, Andy C, and he brought his very own MC. I much enjoy this aspect of drum and bass, another element that makes it decidedly unique. This allows the DJ to focus on what he does best while the MC hypes the crowd. Andy C has some terrific originals, but also played drum and bass infused remixes of a few tracks that I absolutely adore. Nero’s ‘Me and You’ as well as Prodigy’s ‘Firestarter’. When ‘Firestarter’ began to play, I nearly lost my shit. I mean, I did start yelling, “PRODIGYYYY”, to no one in particular. However, the crowd was vibing, and none were disturbed. Andy C kept a bristling pace and tempo throughout his set, and I responded by moving and grooving enthusiastically.
Before we get to Wilkinson, I want to share a comment ‘Chay’ made concerning tonight’s crowd. She mentioned those in attendance this night were, “quiet”. At first, I didn’t comprehend, but after she added clarification, her point became ardently clear. There were many who just didn’t know what to do with themselves. They stood motionless and tall, not really letting the energy of the occasion uplift their souls. Drum and bass is an acquired taste, and everyone is allowed to enjoy music however they see fit, just respect the space of others. That being said, at one point while I’m fucking getting it, a fella steps in front of me and just stands there, effectively crowding my space. He’d make his way elsewhere soon enough, but it went to show that ‘Chay’ and her observations seemed to be correct.
After Andy C got me all hot and sweaty, Wilkinson assumed control of the decks next. Golly G, I love me some Wilkinson. One of my favorite tracks of his is titled, “Air I Breathe”, and he played it early on in his set to my eternal delight. I listen to it almost every single day I go to the gym. It’s inspiring and uplifting, and getting to hear it live was one of the highlights of my night. Further along, he dropped a terrific rendition of ‘Rock-it’, by Sub Focus. Wilkinson was a silent assassin behind the decks, barely saying a word, instead communicating through his song selection, no MC needed. Hell yeah, brother! That’s that shit I do like!!!
I took a break from dancing for a few moments to do a wall sit, and that’s when I met Andy Abstract. Andy introduced himself as an old school raver and asked if I’d like to hear a joke, which I absolutely did. This might be one of the hardest, nastiest, funniest rave jokes I’ve ever heard, and I will reproduce this gem here for you, now.
What’s the difference between a female wook and a hockey player?……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… A hockey player takes a shower after three periods.
Holy crap, Monsieur Abstract, you killed it!
Now, let me tell you about Penguin. Penguin was another fella further on in his raving years, and also set himself apart from the “quiet” crowd. Shoot, at least do some finger guns out there, kiddos. Hip thrusts and shoulder shrugs, it’s kind of easy, in my opinion. Anyway, Penguin drops back from the front row to align himself near my impromptu group, and I can tell you with certainly, he’s a mauler on the dance floor. Dude’s got moves. His lady came to retrieve him, and he was like, “I like these people, I’mma stay here.”
At the height of Wilkinson’s set, he played one of his originals, ‘Balance’, as Penguin and I compared heart rates thanks to our smartwatches. What were the scores? Penguin 147 // Bear 84. I don’t know who won, but I’d like to think we both did. As Wilkinson’s set came to a close, Penguin began his departure. I bowed to him and his lady, respectfully, like a samurai impressed with the technique of another. He doffed an imaginary cap in my direction, and his lady smiled radiantly at my gesture. Too cool, brother. Penguin is way too cool for school!
Anyway, I stuck around until halfway through Bou when my long work week finally caught up with me. ‘Chay’ had left about 145AM, and I escorted her to coat check, where we hugged and exchanged pleasantries before her exit. What a wonderful gal, and I wish her well in all her personal and professional endeavors. Shortly thereafter, my body told my mind it was time to begin our hour-long drive back home before the crash happened. I clocked out of my shift a little after 2AM. Everything I had desired from this engagement had already been expertly delivered. I had witnessed the artists I came for and heard many of my all-time favorite DnB tracks from the past and present, even Chase and Status’s ‘Backbone’ four times. Not even any remixes, just straight Chase and Status. That’s okay, they’re all-stars in the DnB scene, as well.
Drum and bass is an anthem to my life. Though you may not yet understand, it is music that soothes my soul. I’m not the only one, for this is a global community that appreciates, loves, and respects each other. My interaction with ‘Chay’, Penguin, Andy Abstract, and many others, proved as much.
That’s all for this episode. Until next time, my friends, keep dancing. This is Bear Swiftly, the Electro Scribe, signing off. Sayonara, all you samurai.
Be well, be successful. Bear Swiftly.
–Electro Scribe–
