To be Deadmau5 at the Hollywood Palladium is to be loved. His final in a series of four consecutive sold out shows at the venue was a major success for the glow-stick industry, as green glowing mouse ears freckled the audience and provided a magical atmosphere. The Palladium isn’t a typical setting for rave music, yet it didn’t detract from the experience in the least.
The venue adopted the intriguing mystique of a subterranean nightclub, clandestine yet spacious with a flair of luxury. From the moment the curtain dropped to reveal Deadmau5’s emblematic LED mouse mask (which lights up in synchronization with the music) bobbing atop the infamous light cube, fans were transported to a surreal world, one resembling a psychedelic geometry lesson. The video art alluded to cinematic imagery of The Matrix and Tron as well as Pacman, Mario, and most primitive of all, the Rubix Cube.
While candy kids would have been satisfied with pretty much any selection from Deadmau5’s catalogue, the set was dynamically impressive. Not only did he elate the audience with remixes of his most popular songs (“Ghosts ‘n’ Stuff,” “I Remember,” “Raise Your Weapon,” “FML,” “One Trick Pony”), but he transitioned from progressive house to trance to dub-step effortlessly. The show ended with a wowing performance of the soothing epic “Strobe,” which felt like a large breath of fresh—no, not air—Vicks VaporRub.
As people filed outside after the show, there was a buzz, a consensus on the perfection of the closer. It is no wonder why Deadmau5 is one of the biggest electronic producers in the world. He has created a sonic rollercoaster ride that explores current trends in electronic music but retains a common theme at the heart of which is his creative identity…not to mention, his lightshow is out of this world.
Leave a Comment