The Hoxton saw a huge turnout for the most recent installment of Embrace & Hunter Siegel’s No Neon series this past weekend. This time around, we were blessed to be graced with Ephwurd, the deadly duo consisting of Troy Beetles (better known as Vancouver dubstep beast Datsik), and his partner-in-crime/close friend, Basie Hauser (colloquially known as Bais Haus). The night was also very special for them, as it was the first time they had ever played together in Toronto, let alone all of Canada.
The night starts off with openers Nu Alias, warming up the crowd with some mid-energy tracks, such as Durante’s ‘Full Moon’ – something to limber up to while waiting to throw the fuck down very soon. As midnight approaches though, the bass gets progressively heavier – up to a point where the crowd is losing their minds to Endor’s ‘Be Mine’ at the stroke of midnight.
Photo by Kevin Gallant
During that, Hunter Siegel pops up on stage, and takes over on the decks, and not too soon after is accompanied by fellow producers such as Grandtheft, Shaun Frank and Autoerotique, who take turns mixing songs for the crowd. Before long, there are signs floating about in the crowd, with a fire emoji and the message “IT’S LIT FAM” – which seems like it’s becoming a staple for No Neon.
Photo by Kevin Gallant
After about an hour or so, Troy and Basie arrive, with big grins, as if they’re about to unleash a tremendous force upon us – which, of course, they end up doing. One of their opening tracks is ‘Rock the Party’, their infamous smasher with Jauz, and right off the bat, the crowd easily loses their shit – headbanging and throwing down to the sheer depth, filth and stupidity of the bass being pumped out.
Photo by Kevin Gallant
In the middle of the crowd, a mosh pit forms – one unlike any mosh pit I’ve witnessed before. This one doesn’t seem to die out, instead it gets progressively wilder as the night goes on. The huge smiles on the patrons’ faces throughout justified the unity and collective enjoyment from such orchestrated catharsis.
Truth be told, it was my first time coming to terms with my dormant inner basshead, and being as sore as I was the following morning was so fucking worth it!
Written by Christian Kwamie. Check him out on Twitter and Facebook.
