The Granada put on a raging party Friday night to celebrate the return of the many fun-loving music enthusiasts who were away over Winter Break. The DJs held the audience captive with non-stop techno, house and IDM for hours on end, creating a veritable rave with the colorful lights, strobes and bass vibrations. A show of this quality would easily go for $10 or more, but the good people at Cicada Rhythm decided that they wanted to spoil their fans, so, the show was free!
The night was thick with music downtown. Every bar was gunning for returning students' interest and there were several worthy shows; Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy at the Replay, Fuzz Nasty at the Jazzhaus, Robert Randolph and the Family Band at Liberty Hall, Truckstop Honeymoon at the Bottleneck...But none offered the same epic deal and fantastic vibes as the free party being thrown at the Granada.
The spacious venue gave dancers a nice amount of wiggle room, which was perfect for opener G.A.M.E.'s energetic set. The DJ duo drops the bass like experts and put together some wild, driving drum beats for the excited crowd last night. The early dancers had free reign to swing poi and wave glowsticks to the pounding rhythms, while a shy crowd collected on the rails behind the dance-floor.
The show was a genuine party, with a huge collection of mutual friends, some reuniting for the first time in weeks. The fact that the show was free made up for the Granada's notoriously high drink prices, but it hardly mattered, with the good vibes and superb music, nobody needed to drink to enjoy themselves last night.
Headliner DJ Inflect (Brett Smith of Somasphere) rocks out a wide variety of electronica, compelling the crowd to fill up the dance floor. Pumping bass, hip-hop rhythms and clever IDM harmonies combined to make this set even more impressive than DJ Inflect's last show in Lawrence. The audience was hypnotized by the set, cheering between hot climaxes and constantly dancing, through easy beats and the stranger moments between songs.
Between the best parts of the sets, the DJs never let the bar go quiet. Some rhythm, beat or other loop kept the vibes going so the bodies never stopped moving on the dance floor. Granted, some of the stalled moments between real songs weren't great, but it's better than a jarring start-stop of techno hits. A good portion of the Granada crowd was too shy or unsure of the music to get out and dance, but it hardly mattered to the people who let themselves go with the music. In all, the non-stop music was a plus, and the crowd never lost their momentum. From 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. the show was one constant dance party.
DJ Inflect puts together sets of electronica and IDM that are pleasing on the ears and easy to dance to. The crowd last night included some of the most eager and fun music lovers, who could appreciate good music when they hear it. If you missed this free show, be there next time DJ Inflect is on stage and join the family of friends on the dance floor!
Now for Previews:
Tonight the Rooftop Vigilantes, Lawrence's own rising star in the Indie rock scene, will be playing at their old stomping grounds, the Jackpot along with Dead Girls, and Goodbye Fairbanks. Since starting years ago, the Rooftop Vigilantes have progressed to a national act, touring around the states. They're back in town and everyone who has any interest in quality indie rock should check this show out before this band is on the road again. The show starts at 10 p.m.
Also tonight, Yuka Roots will be playing reggae jams at the Jazzhaus, also at 10 p.m.
Friday, the 28th, Mouth will be celebrating their 2nd birthday at the Jazzhaus for juts $5! One of the most consistently awesome, and remarkably versatile funky jam bands, Mouth's shows are always a good time and the Jazzhaus has enjoyed some of their best performances with the most enthusiastic crowds. Be there or be square!
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