Review: Rain Man, Sikdope, Lumberjvck, and Ghastly at the Avalon
The line is small. Is the show any good? Why are there so little people? Walking through a narrow doorway, passing a dimly lit hallway of blood red and exotic purple, I was beginning to regret coming to Avalon. The illegitimate child of EDM promoter Insomniac and the event promoter Control, Avalon is a curious hot spot. There are good nights and there are terrible ones. I was hoping I was not in the latter. The instant you enter the doors the music is on point – loud, energetic with good servings of bass. Yet music does not always call the crowd. Luckily tonight it did. Avalon rests on a strange place between rave and club. They have strict rules of basically no rave nonsense. At the same time the whole venue oozes with nostalgic remnants of Ultra or EDC.
Image via Sean Moore, The Avalon
For our aperitif we had Sikdope. I was not extremely familiar with his music and the crowd seemed to be on the same game. Again this is the issue of having strong DJs in a venue where you want to meet girls or go further. The aperitif received no acknowledgment from the crowd, everyone wandered around acquiring drinks, spotting their targets or convincing themselves to continue to stay. But that sentiment was soon eradicated when the appetizer showed up, LUMBERJVCK. One of the DJs I was looking forward to tonight and he did not disappoint. He dropped some great mixes and was able to get the party started. His music would belong on any pre-game mix tape as it certainly got everyone in the mood for what came next – Rain Man.
Image via Sean Moore, The Avalon
A classic transition, the lights fade down. The music slowly builds. And then everything just explodes. A mad concoction of trap, dubstep and blinding light floods the dance floor. Everyone is on board – from the confused guy hitting forty, to the yuppie who thinks Vegas is better. How do you top such a main course? Well, the answer is Ghastly. A perfect dessert does not add onto a meal. It continues the same flavours as before. A good desert calms you down and settles you in for the night. Such was Ghastly. A perfect compliment to the insanity of Rain Man. His blend of deep house and liquid dubstep gave perfect vibes for you to drive on home too. It did not add to what came before; it calmed you down, giving one ample time and spirit to dance with the special someone. A perfect ending to grand night. Avalon is arguable a hit and miss. Today was certainly a hit.
-GERALD DEVOTTA, Electro Cinema