Have you ever wondered what would happen if three bands with extremely distinctive sounds would collide on one stage? Yeah, me either. However, The Crocodile -- located in Seattle, Washington-- decided to play mad scientist and unite Mad Rad, Dyme Def and Head Like a Kite. Result? Absolute magic.
I am an avid fan of live shows -- I live for them. The energy, soul, and heart an artist can pour into his songs and the audience is something that can never be translated into a recorded format. With that said, I have also been to many shows where the artists are stale, boring and don't create a connection with the audience. Having heard Dyme Def and Head Like a Kite in the past, I knew I was going to get good music, though I wasn't sure how they would translate into a live performance. Mad Rad? I was not much of a fan. Actually, I highly consider skipping their set.
Glad I didn't.
Mad Rad opened the stage with force, vibrancy and made sure everyone was having a good time. The Ghettotech band had a sound never before experienced by my ears; Hip-Hop hooks mixed in with electronic sounds, drum beats, and bass. Mad Rad had a style all of their own. They rocked the crowed with "My Product", "Superdope", and the ever so hilarious, "Sexxy Bicycle". Mad Rad's music might not translate very well into a recorded format, but there was I -- someone looking to skip their act -- dancing, singing to thier contagious electronic/glam beats.
Next came Dyme Def. The Hip-Hop brother trio started their performance with songs off the new mixtape, "3badbrothaaas". Though the majority of the crowd was not familiar with these tracks, they still got into the songs. Connecting with the audience is something Dyme Def does very well. Dividing the audience in two, Brainstorm and Sev, two of the band members, created a game: one side would recite one verse of the hook and the other side the other. The louder the better. By the end? It got LOUD. This soon followed by a soaring "Ohhhh!" from the crowd at the sound of their songs "Pickupyaflow" and "Foot up on the Gas" -- which are amongst my favorites. Not surprised by Dyme Def's great live performance, I was wowed by this point and I still have one more act to go.
With so much dancing and chanting, a quick stop by the bar was in order!
Head Like a Kite was the main act of the night and a band I was looking forward to see live for a long time. Opening up with songs off their new album "Random Portraits of the Home Movie" I was not familiar with, but quickly became a fan. The Electronica/Shoegaze band offered a more mellow atmosphere than the last two acts. Although, some of their songs like "We were so Entangled" are very much danceable, the overall feel was very chill. I'm going to chalk it up to the mood lighting and smoke machine effects being used as it felt very spiritual. But this doesn't mean we didn't have fun -- quite the opposite, in fact. Given "head like a kite beach balls" to toss around the crowd as we swayed and sang along to some of our favorites such as "Six Bags of Confetti", "Words of a Friend", and "A Dime and a Cigarette". As Head like a Kite was approaching the end of their act, members of Mad Rad joined them on stage.
Then magic happened.
Quickly followed by other members of Mad Rad and Dyme Def, the three acts became one on the stage. Freestyling, singing each others songs, chanting "Head Like a Kite" -- supporting each other. It was no surprised the crowds energy had gone through the roof at the sight of this union. A beautiful sight indeed. Regardless of race, music genre, sound or fan base, these bands united as creators of music, as artist, as Seattle bands. This simple fact is what attracts me to this city -- the support the music community has for each other.
Is was an amazing night at the Crocodile with Mad Rad, Dyme Def and Head Like a Kite taking one stage. I left the show with a surreal high off music. My head was, indeed, like a kite.
