Review: A Very Vicii Let Down.

It’s been a good while since I’ve written a review about any of the EDM shows I’ve attended. But, to be honest, it gets hard coming up with new adjectives to describe how much fun I have at these things (my favorite being “face-melting”). So, why not try something different and allow me to describe the first night I was ever disappointed at an EDM show.

When they announced Avicii would be playing in Santa Monica (I mean, I feel like he never comes to the east coast) and when the two days he was playing sold out in a matter of hours, my first thoughts were that this was going to be an epic event. I’d never been to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium before, and I’d only seen Avicii at larger music festivals, so seeing him, headlining, in what I assumed would be a more personal venue, how can I pass that up!

I got my hands on a pre-sale ticket for his first show on Friday and, after a few times were I thought I might have to cancel do to work, it was finally the night of the show, and I was going.

*On a side note, when they added Sundays show to the lineup, my mind was torn between, are they doing this for the fans? Or for the money?

Anyways, my friend and I arrived at the venue around 8:35, security, as per usual in LA had the line down the sidewalk, but it moved rather quickly and only took us about 15mins to get in. I heard the day before that alcohol wouldn’t be served at the event, which, while it isn’t a big deal to me, it was still odd. I find alcohol allows those who are less comfortable to be able to unwind a little bit. To be more at ease, be more social. Plus, it generates great revenue for the Venue. Was the SMCA thinking that, because this was an 18+ show, they didn’t want to accidentally sell to minors? Even the woman behind the counter who sold me a bottle of water (which they wouldn’t allow me to keep the cap for…) expressed her confusion at the decision not to sell alcohol. But, oh well, that wasn’t going to effect my night.

However, as soon as we entered the auditorium, I immediately felt the vibe that tonight was going to be… off. Doors had open at 7 and I had heard that there was supposed to be an opener, but here it was at 8:50 and the lights were still on, and they were simply playing older style hip hop recordings (which I have nothing against, as I enjoy classic hip hop). The floor was a little sparse, some people were milling around in the seats behind us, and, as I looked around I realized most of the crowd might not have been born when the songs they were playing had been released. Now, I’m only 25, but boy did I start to feel old.

And boy, was it hot. I admit, it’s been bad in LA recently. On my drive home from work on the 101 my car’s thermometer read 111˚! But, this is an enclosed auditorium. You’re expecting hundreds of people to fill the space. Stop being cheap and turn on the A/C for crying out loud!

So we stood there and waited. Insomniac had posted Avicii was supposed to start at 9:00 and go till 11:30. 9:00 came. Then 9:15. Now 9:30. Hmmph. Every time a song would stop playing, the crowd would cheer only to be disappointed when the hip hop kept playing. The lights finally dimmed at 9:35 and you could feel the energy raise. The floor was well filled. Everyone was excited. The curtain came up and the white head was revealed to us. I remember it from Coachella. Beautiful. When Avicii finally appeared riding the top of the head, everyone applauded, jumped, screamed… and that’s when the night turned.

I was ready to go. Ready to dance. Ready to have fun with those around me. Avicii started his first track. Hmm… “Baba O’Riley” by The Who… that sounds familiar. Okay, now he’s mixing it into “Fade Into Darkness.” Wait a sec… Did I JUST hear this exact set while I was streaming Tomorrowland? That’s exactly what it felt like anyways, I can’t say if it was exactly the same, but it certainly felt like it. It felt like he didn’t even try to put on something new for us. I mean, I saw Skrillex 4 nights in a row, and every set was different! Impress me Avicii, you’re currently an icon in the EDM world, so act like it!

Not that I could hear the songs anyways. The Acoustics were AWFUL. I’ve never heard it this bad from a professional venue. When the bass hits came, they were so overpowering and filled with so much rattle, you could barely hear the song underneath them. After a few songs they finally fixed it, but the venue bounced the music around so much it felt hallow and empty.

I tried to keep my spirit light, continue to dance, but when the Music you listen to all the time, sounds better in your car than in an Auditorium… you have a major problem! Personally, this caused me to loose some respect for Avicii. You’re here to perform for your fans and make sure they have an amazing time. The least you could do is check the venue before you play. Come stand were we are at and listen to what it sounds like. It should meet a higher standard because of your higher production and YOU let us down.

Speaking of “higher productions,” if the music didn’t sound great, at least I can expect an amazing light show, right? Oh, your lights are flooding the room and… everything is just becoming brighter? There’s no spotlighting? No lasers? It’s like someone came in and was just flipping switched to light the room different colors. This is… just… bad.

Okay, so music is off. Lights are... underwhelming. Can I turn to my fellow dancers and have a good time? In truth, I really didn’t want to write this part, as I don’t want to come off as an elitist. I’ve only been enjoying the EDM culture for about a year and a half now, but it has embraced me full heartedly. The great ting about these shows, this culture, is its openness. People are generally friendly, open to letting it all out, and not afraid to look like a fool as long as they are having the time of their life. So here’s where we meet the problem of EDM becoming so mainstream, and especially with the heightened popularity of artists just like Avicii. We’re bringing in new blood, but not those who understand the culture. I looked around at the crowd and maybe it was because they were so young or maybe because Avicii is the next big thing, but they were not the same people I find at other shows. They were just so much less open to loving everyone around them. It really depressed me to think that this may be the direction the future takes for EDM.

I think the final moment of udder disappointment came at the end of the night. I was told there would be a two and a half hour long set. He started late, so I figured we would be there till at least midnight. Come 11:30, Avicii ended, the lights came on, and everyone filtered away. A two-hour set when I was told two and half. A half an hour may not seem like much, but when you're paying $65 for a ticket, you want as much of a show as possible. I’ve never been so disappointed, or upset at what I honestly feel like was a waste of money before.

Avicii, I had high hopes for you after Coachella. Even more when you came back the next day after your spot was cancelled at EDC and gave us even a slight 30mins of your time. But you really dropped the ball here. Maybe the next two nights will be better, because for your fans sake, I hope so. Oh, and I won't be going back to a show at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium again either.

At least I have Pretty Lights to look forward to tonight. He’s never let me down before…

And just for kicks, here's this: