It seemed shaky at one level, however Bass Canyon pulled off a leviathan feat. Excision’s annual takeover of the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington overcame lightning and window storms, mid-show cancellations and the specter of a spoiled weekend to ship all the pieces it promised.
The emotional—and borderline literal—whirlwind began throughout Saturday’s Kill The Noise set. The 21-year veteran was compelled to abruptly finish his set and knowledgeable followers of an impending lightning storm.
“Bass Canyon, I’m sorry but there’s lightning in the area,” Kill the Noise advised followers. “You know how that s–t goes.”
An alert subsequently broadcast on the Canyon Stage display directing concertgoers again to their autos for shelter. There was a collective hesitancy from followers who noticed darkish clouds close by however no lightning. Then it rained.
Followers took shelter as chilly, moist globs poured overhead. Campers filed out of the venue and returned to their campsites awaiting additional particulars. An replace was despatched not lengthy after informing attendees the present was on.
Followers began their second spherical journey from the campsites to the amphitheater with numerous levels of enthusiasm. Roaring thunder and crackling lightning bolts sparked skepticism but it surely appeared the storms had been shifting away from the venue.
Day two picked up with its often scheduled programming. Kompany and Dion Timmer’s lightning-infused b2b was a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. Head-banging as lightning streaked via the sky was a surreal and unforgettable expertise.
@dancing.astronaut Unreal to seize this. From day 2 at Bass Canyon simply earlier than it was canceled as a result of incoming storm (🎥: @Chase & Chelsea, h/t @edmtrain) #basscanyon #lightning #edm #bassmusic
Kompany and Timmer accomplished their set with out incident and it appeared the Bass Gods had been happy. Then Eptic arrived. The “Tactix” producer drew followers in with an elaborate introduction and lengthy countdown. On the climax of the intro, Eptic commanded the viewers to, “Open up the f—ing pit!”
“Do not open it up,” a second voice demanded.
@rochellelynns Bass canyon 24’ Day 2 ending. @EPTIC was about to open up the pit, however received stopped by the hearth marshals. #basscanyon2024 #basscanyon #excisionheadbangers #basscanyonstorm @Excision Presents
Lighting was now not a priority however a wind storm now blowing via the venue was. A set-piece on the mainstage broke off and swung round, elevating issues about different buildings within the venue and prompting workers to direct folks again to their autos. Dejected followers walked again to their campsites to evaluate the damages brought on by the wind, and had been quickly met with the accountable however disheartening information that day two was cancelled.
Mom Nature dealt a crushing blow to followers on Saturday. On the top of disappointment, fortifying campsites and issues for full-blown occasion cancellation, optimistic chatter unfold via the campsites. Habstrakt, who was scheduled to carry out a b2b with JOYRYDE after Eptic’s set, was headed to the camp stage for a make-up efficiency. It was the weekend’s first reminder of why Excision’s dedication to the fan expertise makes him a highly-regarded occasion curator.
Habstrakt, accompanied briefly by JOYRYDE cameo, and Viperactive rescued the night camp stage performances after their scheduled units had been scrapped.
Excision’s crew and the performing artists deserve repeat standing ovations. It might have been disappointing however forgivable if concessions had been made after day two’s partial cancellation. That didn’t occur. The artists went above and past to ship the weekend promised to followers. Each mainstage act whose set was canceled on Saturday stayed put to carry out on Sunday.
A collective sigh of aid rang via the Gorge’s campground at a windy Sunday midday when a notification alert hit the Bass Canyon app. The weather had been calming and the present would proceed with welcomed amendments, and the competition’s gates opened early to accommodate the revamped Sunday lineup. The ultimate product was an insanely stacked finale. The mainstage featured Zingara, Ray Volpe, Excision’s “Detox” set, Eptic, Kai Wachi, Wooli, LSZEE, Zeds Lifeless and Excision’s throwback set in succession.
Saturday may have been a catastrophe. However because of the lengths taken to treatment day three, weekend campers can look again on nature’s intrusion as a brief setback that introduced folks collectively. On that word, it’d be a disservice to not applaud the competition’s attendees. Campers rushed to assist safe others’ campsites, share laughs amid the distress and increase morale with renegade units. A particular shoutout to our neighbors, who kindly invited us to observe Again to the Future on their campsite projector wall.
Excision’s industry-leading visuals really went Hollywood this weekend. Friday’s headliner opened with a model new Transformers-themed intro, adopted by the information that Excision had collaborated on a challenge with the brand new Transformers One movie premiering on September twentieth. His industry-leading lasers and graphics are outdated information by now, however a dramatic improve in pyrotechnics made Bass Canyon really feel like a grand spectacle.
Levity’s fast rise was one other day one spotlight. EDM.com Class of 2024 trio maximized their marquee spot on the Hilltop Stage, delivering a contemporary and unapologetically enjoyable efficiency. ATLiens and Ganja White Evening had been amongst Friday’s nice showcases.
The second-ever efficiency of CloZee and LSDREAM’s joint challenge was the weekend’s standout set. LSZEE was refreshingly distinctive, delivering a psychedelic-world bass fusion that by no means felt misplaced. The duo is must-watch viewing and must be a precedence on any personally curated competition schedule.
Divisuals
Wooli and Zeds Lifeless had been two different highlights from Sunday. Wooli’s confidence and development during the last two years are noticeable. His visuals stand by itself —no small feat when showing on an Excision lineup—and his crowd management is top-notch. The dubstep star blew followers away by dropping an unreleased GriZ collaboration, however not earlier than tempting destiny with a dramatic voiceover hilariously condemning the weather.
“F–k wind. And definitely, f–k lightning!” the cinematic narrator proclaimed throughout Wooli’s intro.
@blakeheartsill So glad @Wooli was capable of play his set 🙏🏻🙏🏻 #rave #edmfestival #ravetok #edm #competition #basscanyon #wooli #dubstep #griz
In the meantime, Zeds Lifeless’s set was a wild rollercoaster. It was at occasions thrilling, emotional, unhinged and with their “Pure Imagination” finale, downright stunning. And talking of unhinged, a particular shoutout to YOOKiE for his or her ridiculous, meme-worthy set on Sunday.
Group Excision continues to boost the bar annually. It’s no shock they’ve curated one of the vital welcoming fan cultures in digital dance music. They lead by instance. The Bass Canyon artists, followers and workers got here collectively to beat a doubtlessly catastrophic weekend and ship a present that exceeded expectations.
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