Over the past few years, I’ve seen some amazing acts from my favorite performers, some multiple times. It’s common for DJs and artists to perform the same acts at different mainstream festivals, some including; rapper Travis Scott, electronic band Odesza, and DJ groups like the Chainsmokers and Major Lazor. I have seen some of these artists multiple times at different types of festivals, yet each performance was breathtaking in different ways.
I asked avid festival-goer and student at the University of Arizona, Jackson Dahl, a few questions about his favorite performances.
Mattie: What have been some of your favorite performances and why?
Jackson: My favorite performance was Illenium a couple weeks ago because he’s one of my favorite artists. I’ve seen him perform before and this show was insane with lights, visuals, and the way he switched up all his music and played songs I’d never expect him to play made me scream out “oh my god” like every five minutes.
Mattie: Who is your all-time favorite performer and why?
Jackson: My favorite performer of all time is Above and Beyond because during their sets, one of the guys in the group types onto the screen and will sometimes mess up and like delete stuff and it really makes you feel like they care. He puts up stuff like “if your best friend is dancing next to you, let them know how much you mean to them.” And “life is made of small moments like this” which really speaks to me.
Mattie: What makes a good set and why?
Jackson: A good set is made up of a combination of visuals, music complexity, and the crowd. In increasing order of importance. Amazing visuals won’t make or break a show but they will make it jaw-dropping. The complexity of the music and the ability of the artist to play songs and DJ stuff that you would never expect is what makes the actual set the most memorable. But the crowd is the most important because it affects how you personally take in the show. If you’re surrounded by a bunch of sweaty people that will try to fight you if you bump into them, you’re gonna have a way worse time than if you are next to people who want to hug you and tell you how beautiful of a human being you are.
I decided to answer these questions myself. My favorite performance I’ve experienced was the electronic band Odesza during their 2016 new years eve performance at Snowglobe Music Festival. They are known to be one of the best festival performers because of their visuals and the music, which is my favorite. Their set consisted of their most popular music and their new album which was to come out in 2017. I don’t exactly remember the song they played as the clock struck midnight, but I remember I had gotten up on one of my friend’s shoulders and it was one of the coolest things I had ever experienced. My favorite performer so far is Big Gigantic, although I only know a few of their songs, the crowd at their performances is much smaller and its a more intimate setting which makes their performances very enjoyable. They definitely know how to cater to their crowd. I completely agree with Jackson’s opinion on what makes a good performance. The crowd plays a major role because I’m a girl crowds can be really scary and dangerous so when I feel like I’m around good people I feel safe and I don’t have to worry about what’s going on around me, I can just enjoy the music.
All about festivals 