[Review] Mad Decent Block Party returns to Chicago
Diplo’s Mad Decent Block Party returned to Chicago despite negative feedback from previous years. This year hosted in Chicago’s heart of the Museum Campus, Northerly Island, Mad Decent definitely received a much needed facelift. On the shore of Lake Michigan, Diplo headlined the event at the First Merit Bank Pavilion. The beautiful city skyline was a perfect match as the background met the sounds of Mad Decent.
Surprise electric Chicago duo artists Louis The Child joined the lineup, making them the only Chicago based artist to Mad Descent’s stop in Chicago. The duo worked the growing crowd with there headlining caliber set list.
The clear fan favorite was pop mega star Kesha. The fans came in droves to see the new leased on life artist. With support from The Creepies. Kesha didn’t disappoint the crowd with her crowd pleasing performance of TiK Tok, Your Love Is My Drug, and Take It Off. Despite her recent legal issues Kesha’s performance speak for itself. Currently on tour, Kesha hasn’t lost her groove leaving Mad Decent fans with a rock out set.
Rae Sremmurd’s short career is met with discussion of their successful hip-hop longevity. The Mississippi brothers have proven time and again their place in today’s hip-hop discussion with record breaking single from No Flex Zone, No Type, and Come Get Her. Festival fans were treated with a hip-hop thrill ride. The non-stop energy seeped through the crowd as the duo of brothers didn’t stop giving an energy packed performance from start to finish. Definitely one of the biggest take away from Mad Decent is seeing these young hungry hip-hop artists.
Mad Decent creator and one of the biggest faces in electric music, Diplo closed off the night. Diplo a true music jack of all traits kept the Mad Decent crowd going into the night with a mixture of electric, hip-hop, and house classics. Diplo’s long list of hit records were present with performances from Where Are U Now, Revolution, and Take U There. The music master had incredibility balanced all type of electric music from trap, big room house, reggaeton, and moombaton.
Minor setbacks from the volume to time in-between sets didn’t hinder the fact that Mad Decent found it’s footing in Chicago.
A true treat Diplo had in store for Chicago was hiss final five minutes of his set. After thanking Chicago for it’s day one fans he ended his set with Chicago house and juke jams. A true appreciation for Chicago's music scene we’d love to see Mad Decent and Diplo come back bigger then before.
Mad Decent Block Party Chicago 2016 - Photos
[SXSW 2016] John Legend to Share Stage with Five Handpicked Musicians at AXE Collective
Days away from SXSW Music, AXE and SPIN announce their return with yet another exciting SXSW lineup that headlines Grammy & Oscar-winning musician John Legend. In addition, there will be live performances by Rae Sremmurd, electronic pop duo AlunaGeorge, LA-based singer Gallant, and former “Glee” vocalist Alex Newell. And if this isn't enough, in a nationwide search for the best and brightest talent, John Legend handpicked five musicians to join the AXE Collective to accompany him on one of music’s biggest stages with debut performances.
The AXE Collective is a yearlong music and film mentorship program that included sessions with John Legend himself. With support of SPIN and the opportunity to perform at SXSW, the AXE Collective giving a very opportune platform for each artist to share their voice and story with the world.
The event will be held on Thursday, March 17 at The Belmont Austin (305 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701), from 12pm to 5pm, and I'm thrilled to cover it all.