Music Festival Review: The Mad Decent Block Party, Los Angeles 2012

            It was the perfect day for a block party.  The weather was hot, there was a small breeze, chronic in the air, and it was Saturday.  The best part about Mad Decent was that it was free, all you needed was a confirmation e-mail to enter; they didn’t really check that well for the authenticity of the ticket so we used 4 of the same ticket to get in. 

            We just missed Paper Diamond, which means we arrived at 2:30p during Casey Veggies set.  We B lined it to the alcohol section and got some booze while we waited for some friends.  The stage was going off!  We met up with our friends and pounded our drinks.  While we were exiting the alcohol section, Clockwork was wrapping up his last song and people were starting to leave the stage.  We found a pretty good spot by the tree and posted up till Bonde Do Role went on at 3:40p. 

            There was one stage, which I liked because it kept the “Block Party” theme in check.  The stage was at the top of the hill, so the crowd was on an upward slop.  It was kind of weird, I’m used to either standing on a flat or downward surface.  Anyways, that whole area was between 2 buildings, which gave us A LOT of shade, so we didn’t over heat in the sun.  The venue was pretty awesome, they definitely put some time in selecting the location and it showed.

            I’m going to be completely honest with you, Bonde Do Role and 3Ball MTY sounded like Mariachi House music.  I wouldn’t know what other category I would call it but I didn’t like it that much and the crowded didn’t seem to be feeling the performance.  I was definitely not impressed.  Then Paul Devro came on, playing dub step, hip-hip, and some trap music.  The crowd was definitely feeling this DJ and I was too.  He played really good music that had the crowd going at all times.  If Devro isn’t from Los Angeles I’d be surprised because his style encompasses that of the LA urban culture.  After Paul Devro, Munchi came on and he started off killing it.  He opened by playing some dub step, there was a lot of energy in the air at this point, mostly because Devro got the crowd hyped up.  Then Munchi started playing that Mariachi House music, killing the mood.  We go over Munchi about ¾ through his set and left to get food and more booze before Zeds Dead came on.  We ate and rallied back to the stage at 6:50p and got pretty good spots.

            Honestly, all I can say is that Zeds Dead killed it.  See them every opportunity that you can because they ALWAYS put on a solid performance, based on my previous experience.  The crowd loved it, we loved it, they loved it, the whole block was stoked.  Stoked I went. I'll score this festivals based on 4 categories: venue, average performance, crowd energy, and overall experience.  
Venue: 7
Average performance: 6.5
Crowd energy: 6
Overall experience: 7
Note: If Zeds Dead didn't headline, the average performance would drop down to a 4 but because they put such a great set together, that category gets skewed.  The overall experience is higher because the event was free.

IDentity Festival 2012: San Diego

     I can't believe it's already been year since the last IDentity Festival.  Last year packed an awesome line-up including Pretty Lights, Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Nero, Datsik, Nervo, and Kaskade.  Although it is still a pretty awesome line-up, this year has taken a step down.  The headliners this year are Porter Robinson, Eric Prydz, and Paul van Dyk amongst others.  I feel like last year is going to be the same as this year in that it wasn't really about the music but who you were with, like a hang out spot.  We adventured out with a HUGE group of people, at least 50 of us were holding down the center stage in the fields.  IDentity wasn't like a normal music festival, it was more of a "thing to do" than it was "for the music enthusiast" so the atmosphere was a little different.  Although the music wasn't that loud, we still had a good time.  To sum up my impression of IDentity Festival 2011, it was a college party.

If you aren't able to attend IDentity Festival, iTunes will be broadcasting it at iHome.
Here are the set times for tomorrow: 

iHOME Main Stage
Eric Prydz 9:45PM-11:00PM
Porter Robinson 8:30PM-9:30PM
Paul van Dyk7:25PM-8:25PM
Bingo Players 6:20PM-7:20PM
Arty 5:20PM-6:20PM
Le Castle Vania 4:20PM-5:20PM
Eva Simons 4:00PM-4:20PM
Adrian Lux 3:00PM-4:00PM
Kerli 2:00PM-3:00PM

Rockstar Energy Drink Festival Stage
Excision 9:45PM-11:00PM
Showtek 8:15PM-9:30PM
Noisia 7:15PM-8:15PM
Doctor P 6:15PM-7:15PM
The Eye 5:15PM-6:15PM
Audrey Napoleon 4:15PM-5:15PM
Stephan Jacobs 3:00PM-4:15PM
Cole Plante 2:00PM-3:00PM

LED Stage
RL Grime 7:15PM-8:00PM
Samo Soundboy 6:30PM-7:15PM
Lightyear 5:45PM-6:30PM
TJR 5:00PM-5:45PM
DJ Dodger Stadium 4:15PM-5:00PM
John Roman 3:30PM-4:15PM
Fyor 2:45PM-3:30PM
Louisahhh! 2:00PM-2:45PM

Tickets for the event are currently sold out but if you'd like more information, you can visit their website here: IDentity Festival SD

Music Festival Review: The Wavehouse, August 12, 2012: Zedd

     It was a hot afternoon, one of those "Sunday Funday" type of deals.  Sunshine beaming, music blasting, happy drunk in the afternoon goers awaiting the headliner Zedd.  Dallas K was half way through his set when we arrived and after talking to a couple of regulars, we knew we were in for a good time; although we ALWAYS have a great time at the Wave House.  This venue offers a unique experience for music lovers because of its location next to beach.  In essence, we were pretty much partying on the beach with an awesome DJ and of course, good company.  Around the club there are a couple of bars, a wave machine, and sand everywhere!  No shoes or shirts necessary, we're shuffling on the sand.  As the sun went down, the Wave House became more alive.  Zedd began performing and yes, he brought it.  He played a solid hour and a half set that kept us in party mode till we left at 9pm.  EDM truly united everyone at the day club as there was no drama, no fights, and no arguments the whole day!  It was definitely a Sunday Funday to remember.  Check out the video of Zedd at the Wave House below to see what the hype is all about!

Photograph by Taylor Folwell

   Here is their schedule for the next couple of weeks:

          

     The video below is taken from the VIP/Bottle Service section of the Wave House.  From this perspective you can meet the host DJ of the day and you get to experience the crowd like the DJ does!  Zedd plays "One More Time" by Daft Punked mixed with another track during this video.  

If you haven't been to the Wave House before and are interested in going, you can check it out here: 

Website: The Wave House, Mission Beach

Facebook: Wave House

Tickets: Wave House Tickets

The Grouch - "Artsy"

     One of the Bay Area's greatest rappers, ladies and gentleman.  The Grouch.  One of my favorite artists of all time in any genre of music, The Grouch is creative, intelligent, and inspirational beyond any main stream icon.  He is one of four of the world renown as Living Legends crew.  Rapper, word smith, beat maker, businessman, he literally does it all.  He is known for his incredible down to earth rhymes about real issues that motivate and captivate those who have listened to him.  He has released ten independent projects successfully including his first album, Don't Talk To Me (1994), on the Living Legends label through Heroes in the City of Dope with Zion I.  The Living Legends crew actually moved from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, where Murs, Scarub, and Eligh previously resided before moving north. In 2000, the Grouch and Eligh issued G & E Music; that same year They Don't Have This arrived, which was widely regarded as the best work of the Grouch's career.  


Artsy by The Grouch The Bay To L.A. (Ft. Murs) by The Grouch Weight Of The World by The Grouch Breath by The Grouch Zion I & The Grouch - Victorious People ft. Freeway & R.O.D Project by The Grouch

Playlist I - Dirty Girls love Dirty Beats

Dirty Girls love Dirty Beats from gcmusic on 8tracks.

I created a playlist for you guys to listen to, it's pretty awesome if you're looking for good dance/electro/house music.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Here is the track list:


1.   Rolling Stones T Shirt - Dada Life
2. Pressure (Remix) - Alesso 
3. Spectrum - Zedd Ft. Mathew Koma
4. Hey Hey Hey - Laurent Wery (Scndl Remix)
5.  L'amour - Bingo Players
6.  Kick Out The Epic Motherf*cker - Dada Life
7.  We'll Be Coming Back - Calvin Harris (Jacob Plant Remix)
8. How We Do (Extended Version) - Hardwell & Showt
9.  Cry - Bingo Playersrak
10. 2 Million - Avicii
11.  Zero 76 - Tiesto & Hardwell 
12.  Hold On- Rusko (Subfocus Remix)

GQ's Tips to Picking Out The Right Dress Shirt

If you need some tips on picking out the proper dress shirt, check the awesome guide GQ came out with.  Whether it's for Las Vegas, a formal, or just to go out to a club, these few tips will definitely help you dress like a boss.  Dress to impress! Make it fit, sick colors, and keep it crisp, clean and fresh.  
Here are the 17 tips GQ recommends:
1. Use Your Head - Check Your Neck - "The One-Finger Rule"
2.  Trim the Shirt Fat
3.  How One Tall, Lanky Dude Finally Got Fit
4.  There are A Zillion Collars.  Ignore Them - "the Semispread"
5. What the Hell Is... a Straight - Point Collar? - "the 4 Different Collars"
6.  The Style Guy
7.  There's Nothing Buttoned-Up About a Button-Down
8.  Male-Pattern Boldness - "Gingham and Plaid Are In"
9.  Surefire Tip: Real Men Wear Pink 
10.  It's All in the Wrist - "It's All About The Unbuttoned Cuff"
11.  Four Hundred Bucks for a Dress Shirt?! Si, Certo!
12.  Wrinkles Look Good on a Man - "The Bum Look is In"
13.  Style Police: Go Tuck Yourself - "TUCK IN YOUR SHIRT!"
14.  The Smallest Weapons in Your Toolbox - "Keep Those Plastic Collar Tabs"
15.  Iron, Man! 
16.  How to Iron Your Shirt in Four Quick Steps
17. The Cheat Sheet

Read More: GQ Guide to Dress Shirts

Hardwell: "How We Do"

     The first time I saw Hardwell was at the New Years Eve LED Concert at the San Diego Sports Arena.  The   night was filled with promising DJs such as Porter Robinson, Hardwell, R3hab, Madeon, Bart Bmore, and Fedde Legrand was the headliner.  The whole night was raging, it was a pretty awesome way to end the year and start off the new year, especially because Hardwell threw down the nastiest set of the night at the countdown.  Since then I've seen him at the Wavehouse, but I missed him at EDC Las Vegas.  


     Robbert van de Corput, aka Hardwell, was born in Breda, Netherlands on January 7, 1988.  He is an Electro and Progressive house DJ and music producer.  Something good to know is that he has his own station, Hardwell On Air, which he uses to release mash-ups of the new music on a regular basis.  In 2010 he formed his own label Revealed Recordings and was ranked number 24 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJ list for 2011.  He was also named EDM artist to watch in 2012 by MTV.  I'm pretty sure he has an album coming out very soon, I heard it was July 30, 2012 but I've also heard later release dates.  Hardwell and Showtek came out with a new song a couple months ago called, "How We Do", which they showcased at EDC Las Vegas.  It's a pretty awesome song to party to.  Hardwell has worked with other DJs such as Alesso, Deniz Koyu, R3hab, and Tiesto.


GC Favorites: "How We Do", "Zero 76", "Three Triangles", "Spaceman", "Chasing the Rising Sun (Remix)"


Check him out:
website: www.djhardwell.com
facebook: www.facebook.com/djhardwell
twitter: www.twitter.com/HARDWELL
soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/hardwell


Hardwell & Showtek - How We Do (Extended Version) by GoodCompany310 Tiesto & Hardwell - Zero 76 by HARDWELL Hardwell On Air 073 - 20.07.2012 [www.exQlusiv.com] by exQlusiv.com OFFICIAL