Now, let me get this out of the way first. Normally, when someone says to me, “Want to go see a DJ/EDM (Electronic Dance Music) show?” my default response is not just “No thanks,” rather a “HELL NO!” I’m not dismissing the genre but rather have a personal desire to see musicians with instruments performing live the songs they wrote on those instruments. I’m a jamband fan, sure, but for the most part I’m a music fan. So when Luke Rothschild at Tsunami Publicity reached out to me and suggested it, I gave Creature Carnival at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles a shot on November 8th. It was a really good decision.
Do the names Emancipator, Shpongle or Beats Antique ring a bell to you? Even those who dwell on the fringe layer between live bands and EDM should, by now, have heard of at least two of the three. They’ve been working the festival circuit for quite a few years now and not just the “EDM” fests. They’ve crossed over into the jam-fests like High Sierra Music Festival and the like. Now, there’s also something very different about all these acts…they’ve got guys (and girls) with instruments playing along with the thumping DJ sounds.
Opened in 1926, the Shrine Expo Hall and Auditorium is a landmark in LA’s storied music history. In 1969 the Grateful Dead performed there, which would later be released as the album Two From the Vault. Michael Jackson performed there for the Pepsi commercial when his hair was set on fire accidentally. Sam Cooke performed there. Fugazi sold out two nights there in 1995. I had never been to this venue before and now, I’m glad I did. It’s a huge complex with impressive architecture and a really interesting vibe about it.
I got there as Lafa Taylor, the ring leader of the Creature Carnival, was finishing his early set. As I made my way into the hall, which at this point was nearly half full of EDM fans, the enormity of the venue was apparent. There was probably 1,500 people already inside and it seemed, well, still kinda empty. I was questioning my decision at this point but my friend, Tavoe, who came along with me assured me that it would be full in no time. He was right.
Quick stop at the bar for a cold Stella Artois and it was time for some Emancipator (aka Doug Appling). My first introduction two very talented performers and the moment I realized this would not be a typical “press PLAY” DJ show. Emancipator was joined by Ilya Goldberg on accompanying violin and mandolin creating a beautiful blend between dance beats and the ethereal sound of the stringed instruments. The whole set was soothing mixes blended with infectious drum beats. Something I didn’t expect but was glad I got.
Next up, the man called Shpongle (aka Simon Posford). While I’d never seen Simon before, I knew a few things to be true. My dear friend Erik Koral speaks very highly of the talent of this act and Shpongle comes in two forms; singular DJ set ala Posford or the full Shpongle band. There was a drum kit on stage and I had high hopes for the full on Shpongle experience. It was not. Posford took to the mixing board and delivered a high energy psychedelic musical journey to a very happy Shrine crowd. Shpongle has been doing his thing in one form or another since the late 90’s and trust me when I say the Shpongle experience is well worth your time. He kept the crowd bouncing round the room for his whole set getting everyone ready for the headliner, Beats Antique.
The one and only time I had previously experienced Beats Antique was about a year ago when they performed at the El Rey theater for the release party of the “Bob Marley: Legend Remixed” album and documentary. Beats Antique is more than DJs. More than a band. Beats Antique is a full on immersive experience that incorporates dance, DJ beats, live instruments…a total package show that pushes the envelope of Broadway production instead of a concert. At any given time you’ve got girls dancing, horns blowing, bass beats dropping, video panels flashing and all working together in a seamless quilt of musical goodness.
The night closed out with a Lafa Taylor fronted collection of all the acts coming together to blow the back doors open at the end of an evening of good times at the Shrine. Not your “in the club” DJ show in any way shape or form, Creature Carnival was a total experience. As the old hippies would say (present company included), it was a “Happening” and that happened to be just fine to me. If you haven’t taken the dive into the world of EDM just yet, I highly encourage it. BTW, I saw a great deal of steal your face t-shirts running around at the show…felt right at home!
More photos of Creature Carnival on ShakedownNews Facebook Page HERE!
